The Insect Predation Game: Evolving Prey Defenses and Predator Responses

Back to Search Results

In this activity, learn about predator-prey interactions by pretending to be generalist insect predators foraging for three prey species (candy). Three feeding adaptations are used (mandibles, raptorial forelegs, and unmodified legs). Students conduct several simulations, each of which lasts about a minute. After each simulation, prey reproduce and predator numbers are adjusted to reflect mortality and reproduction. One prey type becomes poisonous, and the predator-prey dynamics that result in stable populations of each predator and prey species are explored. A graphic representation of the results can be used to lead a discussion about the influence of evolutionary trade offs on ecological communities.

Cumulative Rating:

(based on 1 response)

Primary or BEN resource type	Laboratory exercise
Url	You must be logged in to access all resource information.
Associated files	You must be logged in to access all resource information.
Format	html
Ecological Core Concept	Populations -- Population growth and regulation Populations -- Genetic and phenotypic diversity Populations Interspecific interactions -- Predation and herbivory Interspecific interactions
Drought & Water-Ecosystem Services Collection	Off
Conservation Targets Under Global Change Collection	Off
Big Data Collection	Off
Editor's Choice	No
Audience	Undergraduate lower division 13-14 Grades 9 - 12 Grades 6 - 8 Undergraduate upper division 15-16
Pedagogical Use Description	Teachers can use this activity to teach students about predator-prey interactions and evolutionary trade-offs. The results of the activity can be a starting point for an exploration of how differences in survival between prey species affect a community. The activity is designed to be adapted to meet an instructor's needs, and so it lends itself to the addition of rules and changes to the traits of the prey and predator species. Changing the rules allows the activity to be extended to cover many aspects of evolutionary biology and predator-prey systems.
Keywords	predator, prey, evolution, microevolution, predator-prey, adaptation, natural selection, search, recognition, capture, handling, community, predator avoidance
Life science discipline (subject)	Ecology
Primary Author Controlled Name	Wyatt Hoback Tamara Smith
Primary Author Affiliation	Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Primary Author email	hobackww@unk.edu
Rights	Authors retain copyright
Review Status	Accepted
Resource Editor	Unknown
Reviewer A	Unknown
Reviewer B	Unknown
Date Of Record Submission	2006-11-09

Report a Problem with this Resource

Resource Comments

(no comments available yet for this resource)