... and ecological principles for high school students. Caterpillar models are formed from plasticine, a nontoxic, nondrying modeling clay, and are an excellent tool for quantifying relative predation rates by birds, small mammals, and invertebrates. Lifelike surrogate larvae are glued to vegetation for short...

... on prey–predator coevolution in escape/pursuit speed. It illustrates how selection pressure on individual speed increases average population speed through differential survival, while also reducing variation in speed among individuals. A simulated beneficial mutation helps differentiate the generation...

... to evolution by natural selection, such as predation, mimicry, disease, and effective vaccinations. We use dodgeball to demonstrate frequency dependent selection in a hypothetical predator–prey community, and provide possible extensions into other topics. This activity can be used with biology students in high...

...., predation risk, competitive interactions). We present a hands-on activity for undergraduates using just a deck of cards, bingo chips, and dice to introduce ecological concepts of foraging theory, predator–prey interactions, and energy trade-offs. Specifically, this activity will focus on optimal foraging...

...Rachel Curtis; Jeffrey A. Klemens; Salvatore J. Agosta; Andrew W. Bartlow; Steve Wood; Jason A. Carlson; Jeffrey A. Stratford; Michael A. Steele Predator–prey dynamics are an important concept in ecology, often serving as an introduction to the field of community ecology. However, these dynamics...

...Nicholas A. Barber I present a framework for ecology and evolution laboratory exercises using artificial caterpillars made from modeling clay. Students generate and test hypotheses about predation rates on caterpillars that differ in appearance or “behavior” to understand how natural selection...