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e-Journal

The Moth That Needed the Tree (p. 102)


Step 1. Questions

What are some ways that plants and animals depend on each other? Yucca plants live mostly in the Southwest. In order to reproduce, they must be pollinated by yucca moths.

Write a report about how yucca plants and yucca moths depend on each other. To do so, you will need to research yucca plants and yucca moths. Here are some questions to guide your research:
  • What does a yucca plant look like? Where does pollination take place?
  • What are the different types of yucca plants?
  • Why do yucca plants depend on yucca moths to reproduce?
  • How do yucca moths depend on yucca plants?
Are you ready? Begin by visiting the Web sites listed in Step 2. Look for answers to the questions above, and write down what you learn in the note-taking boxes.

You may use search engines to research other Web sites. Or research yucca plants and yucca moths in the library. When you are ready, follow Steps 3 and 4 to write your report.


Step 2. Research

Research answers for the questions you were asked in Step 1. Visit these Web sites. Take notes about them on this page, too!


Toolbox Tip: Click here to learn how to print a Web page.


The Yucca and Its Moth
Look here for plenty of interesting photographs that illustrate how yucca trees and yucca moths depend on each other. The Web page comes from Wayne's Word, an educational Web site.
Take Notes:



Yuccas
Read this Web page to learn more about how yucca moths and yucca plants depend on each other. You can also read about the different types of yuccas. Click on the underlined plant names for a description. The University of Edinburgh in Scotland hosts this Web site.
Take Notes:



The Yucca and the Moth
This page explains how the soaptree yucca and pronuba moth depend on each other. This Web page is hosted by White Sands National Monument, part of the U.S. National Park Service.
Take Notes:



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