A researcher discovered a species of moth that lays its eggs on oak trees. Eggs are laid at two distinct times of the year: early in spring when the oak trees are flowering and in midsummer when flowering is past. Caterpillars from eggs that hatch in spring feed on oak flowers and look like oak flowers. But caterpillars that hatch in summer feed on oak leaves and look like oak twigs. How does the same population of moths produce such different-looking caterpillars on the same trees?

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Biology

29 November, 10:57

A researcher discovered a species of moth that lays its eggs on oak trees. Eggs are laid at two distinct times of the year: early in spring when the oak trees are flowering and in midsummer when flowering is past. Caterpillars from eggs that hatch in spring feed on oak flowers and look like oak flowers. But caterpillars that hatch in summer feed on oak leaves and look like oak twigs. How does the same population of moths produce such different-looking caterpillars on the same trees?

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Brian · Answer 1

Reproductive Isolation

Explanation:

This type of reproductive isolation is called temporal isolation. The two sub-population of the same incipient caterpillar species could interbreed, however, they reproduce at different seasons and thus rarely interbreed. These two sub-populations could diverge into two different caterpillar species if the isolation continues over time and as they adapt to their different niches.