Question

Organisms within a community have developed defenses against predators. Answer the following question using the choices 93 provided. The answer choices may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
When threatened, hawkmoth larva puffs up their head and thorax and look like the head of a small poisonous snake. This is an example of

• A. Aposematic coloration
• B. Batesian mimicry
• C. Cryptic coloration
• D. Chemical defense
• E. Herbivory

Answer 1

The correct option is B Batesian mimicry

A. Aposematic colouration is a type of defense mechanism, also known as warning coloration in which the color or pattern of a predator is perceived by an organism that the predator is harmful for him.

B. Batesian mimicry is a type of defense mechanism in which on organism protects itself from a predator by mimicking a organism that is otherwise safe from the predator.

C. Cryptic coloration is a type of defense mechanism in which an organism camouflage by blending its color with the background color of its environment to protect itself from the predator.

D. Chemical defense is a type of defense mechanism in which toxic chemicals are produced by the organism to protect itself from the predator.

E. Herbivory is the eating of plants by animals (herbivores).

Hence the statement given in the question that when threatened, hawkmoth larva puffs up their head and thorax and look like the head of a small poisonous snake, is an example of Batesian mimicry as the larva is mimicking the snake.

So, the correct answer is 'Batesian mimicry'.