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The Yucca Moth and Yucca Plan are similar to the Hawk Moth and Star Orchid.

Yucca plants grow in dry areas of the southwestern United States, including Utah. These plants have flowers with a shape that makes it hard for most insects to pollinate them. But the yucca moth is perfectly suited to help.

The female yucca moth gathers pollen from one yucca flower and carries it to another. Instead of just feeding on the flower, the moth places the pollen on the flower’s stigma. This helps the yucca plant get pollinated. After pollination, the moth lays her eggs inside the flower. When the eggs hatch, the baby moths (called larvae) eat some of the seeds growing in the flower.

Even though the larvae eat some seeds, there are still enough seeds left for the yucca plant to make new plants. The plant gives the moth a safe place to lay its eggs and food for the larvae. In return, the moth helps the plant by pollinating it.

Question 7

Match each adaptation or structure to the correct description of how it helps the yucca plant or yucca moth reproduce successfully.

(3 points)

— Ensures that the yucca moth pollinates the plant while laying her eggs.​

— Makes it difficult for most insects to pollinate, helping the plant rely only on the yucca moth.

— Provides a safe place for moth larvae to grow and ensures pollination.

1 answer

Here are the adaptations or structures matched to the correct descriptions:

  1. Ensures that the yucca moth pollinates the plant while laying her eggs.

    • Adaptation: The yucca moth's behavior of gathering pollen from one yucca flower and placing it on another while laying her eggs.

  2. Makes it difficult for most insects to pollinate, helping the plant rely only on the yucca moth.

    • Adaptation: The specific shape of the yucca flower, which is hard for most insects to pollinate.

  3. Provides a safe place for moth larvae to grow and ensures pollination.

    • Adaptation: The yucca plant, which offers a safe environment for the moth's eggs and provides food for the larvae while the moth helps the plant get pollinated.