InGodITrust writes:
Thanks everyone. I'm still thinking this through. Like with many other aspect of evolution, this gets so complicated it is mind-boggling (for me anyway).
This is exactly the reason why I encourage people to learn the basics first before they try to tackle bigger things. This is like trying to solve calculus problems even though you haven't even learned basic algebra yet.
First of all, you need to learn the most basic fact about evolution, which is that individuals don't evolve. The smallest unit that can evolve is a population. A mutation for foul taste in an individual would start out neutral. Over time, the trait is passed onto other individuals through random breeding. Over time, the foul taste in parts of the population gives the entire population an advantage over other populations because predators remember what bugs with foul tastes look like. Over even longer periods of time, this specific trait is spread throughout the population because it gives the foul tasting bugs an advantage.
But again, you need to learn the most basic things about evolution. I highly recommend reading some books written by honest to god scientists and not just creationist propaganda. Better yet, wait until you learn it in school.