What changed the environment of the peppered moth?
The evolution of the peppered moth is an evolutionary instance of directional colour change in the moth population as a consequence of air pollution during the Industrial Revolution. The frequency of dark-coloured moths increased at that time, an example of industrial melanism.
How does the peppered moth benefit from natural selection?
Like many insects, the peppered moth can benefit from blending into its environment. This means its coloration should match with the trees on which it perches. So, what would happen if the trees began changing, and the peppered moths were no longer able to blend in?
How did the Industrial Revolution affect the peppered moth?
The light moths blended in with the light-colored trees. However, the Industrial Revolution changed the tree colors. After the pollution from the Industrial Revolution started affecting trees, most of the collected peppered moths were of the dark form. Click for more detail.
Where does the peppered moth spend most of its time?
Like many moths in forests, the peppered moth tends to rest (or “perch”) on tree trunks during the day. They do most of their flying at night. So it would probably be a good thing if the moths look similar to the trees that they perch on, right?
What does the caterpillar of a peppered moth look like?
The caterpillar of the peppered moth can blend in on some trees, looking like a twig. Click for more detail. Like many insects, the peppered moth can benefit from blending into its environment. This means its coloration should match with the trees on which it perches.
Like many insects, the peppered moth can benefit from blending into its environment. This means its coloration should match with the trees on which it perches. So, what would happen if the trees began changing, and the peppered moths were no longer able to blend in?
The light moths blended in with the light-colored trees. However, the Industrial Revolution changed the tree colors. After the pollution from the Industrial Revolution started affecting trees, most of the collected peppered moths were of the dark form. Click for more detail.
Like many moths in forests, the peppered moth tends to rest (or “perch”) on tree trunks during the day. They do most of their flying at night. So it would probably be a good thing if the moths look similar to the trees that they perch on, right?
The caterpillar of the peppered moth can blend in on some trees, looking like a twig. Click for more detail. Like many insects, the peppered moth can benefit from blending into its environment. This means its coloration should match with the trees on which it perches.
