During the Industrial Revolution in England, a significant shift occurred in the peppered moth population. The prevalence of darker-colored moths increased dramatically compared to their lighter counterparts. This change arose because these moths gained a greater chance of living long enough to reproduce.
The alteration in moth coloration and abundance is a classic example of natural selection. As industrial activities increased, soot and pollutants darkened the bark of trees and other vegetation. The lighter-colored moths, previously camouflaged against the pale bark, became easily visible to predators, primarily birds. Conversely, the darker moths were now better concealed, affording them a survival advantage. This resulted in a higher survival rate for the melanic (dark) form, allowing them to pass on their genes to subsequent generations.
