A Species of Moth Lays Eggs on Oak Trees in Spring

Multiple Choice

A species of moth lays eggs on oak trees in spring and summer. Spring caterpillars eat oak flowers and look like oak flowers. Summer caterpillars eat oak leaves and look like twigs. To investigate how the same population of moths can produce such variable caterpillars, a researcher collected eggs from a population of moths and allowed them to hatch and grow under the conditions shown in the table below.

Comparison of which treatments would allow the researcher to assess the effect of food type on caterpillar morphology?

A) 1, 2, 3, and 4 versus 5, 6, 7, and 8
B) 1, 3, 5, and 7 versus 2, 4, 6, and 8
C) 1, 2, 4, and 5 versus 3, 6, 7, and 8
D) 1, 3, 7, and 8 versus 2, 4, 6, and 8