Peppered moth var. carbonaria

3D Model

Lepidoptera Collection: Biston Betularia var. carbonaria

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. During this period many trees in the countryside were blanketed with soot from coal burning factories. This led to an increase in bird predation for light-coloured moths, as they no longer blended in as well in their polluted ecosystem: indeed, their bodies now dramatically contrasted with the colour of the bark. Dark-coloured moths, on the other hand, were camouflaged very well by the blackened trees. The population of dark-coloured moth rapidly increased.

Catalogue Number: M79

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