Peppered moth (Biston betularia) Science Image

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Peppered moth (Biston betularia). The evolution of the peppered moth has been studied in detail. Originally, the vast majority of peppered moths had light colouration, which camouflaged them against the light-coloured trees and lichens upon which they rested. Pollution during the Industrial Revolution in England caused many lichens to die out and trees became blackened by soot. The camouflage became compromised causing most of the light-coloured moths to die off due to predation. At the same time, the dark-coloured or melanic moths (carbonaria), flourished because of their ability to hide on the darkened trees. As conditions improved and pollution was brought under control, the lighter moths became common again. This example is often used to explain the process of natural selection.