Question

Scientists had never observed any direct contact between adult large blues and myrmica ants. The pregnant butterflies don’t spot the nests from above since flyers lay eggs drunk a time of day when ants are underground. Plus myrmica nats rarely climb the stems of oregano plants or leave a chemical trail that lasts long enough to be sniffed by the butterflies. However when under duress by pests such as when ants destiny their roots, plants are known to produce chemicals to ward off invaders. So for this study, Barbara and her colleagues grew oregano in enclosed terrariums with myrmica ants, and then collected the chemical scents emitted by the plant.

The researchers found that the plants made twice as much of a chemical agent called carvacrol versis normal plants grown without mermaids ants.

Sort the statements below between what the scientists knew prior to the experiment to what they learned.

Many plants produce chemicals to ward off invaders
The butterflies do not spot ants from above
Oregano plants produce twice as much carvacrol as plants without myrmica ants
Butterflies don’t follow the chemical trail left by ants

Answer 1

**What the scientists knew prior to the experiment:**
- Many plants produce chemicals to ward off invaders
- The butterflies do not spot ants from above
- Butterflies don’t follow the chemical trail left by ants

**What they learned from the experiment:**
- Oregano plants produce twice as much carvacrol as plants without myrmica ants