Question

moths flight patterns, the researchers noticed an unexpected behavior: moths appeared to avoid certain flowers that were demonstrably rich in nectar. the researchers hypothesize that artificial lighting from nearby buildings interferes with the moths ability to detect the ultraviolet patterns that flowering plants use to signal nectar availability. which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the researchers hypothesis? choose 1 answer: a field observations indicated that moths spent more time probing flowers in areas dimly lit by artificial lighting than in areas that were more brightly lit by artificial lighting. b chemical analysis demonstrated that artificial lighting did not degrade the fluorescent compounds that create ultraviolet patterns on flower petals, with signal molecules remaining stable for several hours of exposure. c time - lapse photography showed that flowers avoided by moths produced ultraviolet signals approximately 30% weaker than those of frequently visited flowers, regardless of their nectar content or proximity to artificial lighting. d genetic analysis revealed that the moth species in the study possess the same ultraviolet - sensing genes found in related day - flying moths that can successfully locate nectar - rich flowers using uv signals even in very bright sunlight.

Explanation:

The researchers' hypothesis is that artificial lighting interferes with moths' ability to detect ultraviolet patterns on flowers for nectar - location. Option C suggests that the flowers avoided by moths have weaker ultraviolet signals regardless of artificial lighting, meaning it's not the artificial lighting interfering but the inherent weakness of the UV signals that causes moths to avoid them, thus weakening the hypothesis. Option A is about moth behavior in different levels of artificial lighting without addressing UV - signal interference. Option B shows that artificial lighting doesn't degrade UV - producing compounds on petals, but it doesn't directly weaken the idea of interference. Option D is about the genetic ability of moths to sense UV in sunlight, not about artificial - lighting interference.

Answer:

C. Time - lapse photography showed that flowers avoided by moths produced ultraviolet signals approximately 30% weaker than those of frequently visited flowers, regardless of their nectar content or proximity to artificial lighting.