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Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patterns (Level A1) — white and black butterfly perched on brown stem in close up photography during daytime

Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patternsCEFR A1

31 Dec 2025

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Adapted from U. Chicago, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by Marta Costa, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
83 words
  • Many butterflies copy the look of other species nearby.
  • This copying helps them avoid hungry predators like birds.
  • Scientists recently studied a kind of butterfly.
  • They closely looked at colours on butterfly wings.
  • One small change makes female wings look different.
  • Only female butterflies can develop the copy pattern.
  • Females add orange spots to white wing patches.
  • Males keep the usual white patches on black.
  • The changed wings help females survive better in nature.
  • Scientists used several modern tools to study the change.

Difficult words

  • species — group of similar living things
  • predator — animal that hunts and eats other animals
    predators
  • develop — begin to have or grow something new
  • pattern — regular or repeated design on an animal
  • survive — stay alive in the natural world
  • spot — small round mark or colour area
    spots

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Have you ever seen a butterfly?
  • Do you like the colours on butterfly wings?
  • Where do you see butterflies near your home?

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