Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patterns — English Level A1

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

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Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patterns^{CEFR A1}

Difficult words

Discussion questions

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Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patterns CEFR A1

Difficult words

Discussion questions

Related articles

Climate shifts shaped carnivoran bodies

Shrews shrink organs to survive winter

Foot bones show a species lived with Lucy

Gene and blood‑vessel damage add to dementia risk

Sickle cell disease and costly new treatments

Single gene switch helps butterflies copy wing patterns^{CEFR A1}