Adapting to a changing environment

The Peppered

Moth

The Peppered Moth

The Peppered Moth is found in many parts of England and Ireland. It is considered one of the best examples of animal adaptation to an changing environment.

It is found in urban gardens as well as the countryside.

This moth is considered a nocturnal animal as it has rarely been seen during daylight hours.

(Butterfly Conservation, n.d.)

Camouflage In the case of the Peppered moth, its colour is an important factor in whether it survives or became a food source for predators.

The colour of the moth allows it to blend in with the habitat it is living in.

The light coloured moth is effectively camouflaged when sitting on lichen covered or light coloured trees. The dark coloured moth blends in with darker coloured bark and surfaces.

http://www.natureinstitute.org/txt/ch/moth.htm

AdaptationThe Peppered Moth’s ability to adapt to its changing habitat has allowed the species to continue.

During the Industrial Revolution in England the moth’s environment changed dramatically.

Due to the increase in pollution from soot and other pollutants, the lighter coloured Peppered Moth (or typica) population began to diminish as it was now easier for predators to see.

The dark coloured moth (or melanic) began to flourish as they could blend in with the darkened trees.

http://plaidcircuitry.com/computational_thinking/images/pepper-moth-line-graph.png

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEAhqQG--7xpXeihExTYqY123iXVZdXRBEFje6A4mNbFo_FAQw

HabitatsThe Peppered Moth’s survival was dependant on a specific type of habitat. Where there was a higher concentration of pollutants, the darker Peppered melanic moth flourished. This was due to the fact they were less visible to predators.

Since the Industrial Revolution, air pollution has fallen over time and this has enabled the green lichen species to recover in some areas. This lichen enriched habitat is important for allowing the lighter coloured Peppered typica moth to continue to be well camouflaged and safe from predators.

It is crucial for animal survival that their habitats are looked after. Animal species will not able to survive from adaptations alone, even though they have the ability to adapt to the ever-changing world, adaptations is a slow process.

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http://data.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/reserve_web_large/sites/data.live.wt.precedenthost.co.uk/files/lime-hawkmoth%20Keith%20warmington.jpga

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02869/camouflage-moth-4_2869003k.jpg

http://www.charlburygreenhub.org.uk/uploads/images/Countryside/LocalWildlife/20110605164227.m2ts.Still001.jpg

Camouflaged moths and butterflies.

References:Animal Adaptations Video, retrieved from: http://youtu.be/fRX2JtKFUzk

Adaptations in Action Video, retrieved from: http://youtu.be/wEDxThDINgQ (till

6mins 35 secs)

Bug simulation: http://sciencenetlinks.com/media/filer/2011/10/07/evolution.swf

Butterfly Conservation, (n.d.). Moths Count: Peppered Moth and Natural

Selection. Retrieved from:

http://www.mothscount.org/text/63/peppered_moth_and_natural_

selection.html

The Nature Institute, (1999). The Story of the Peppered Moth. Retrieved

from: http://www.natureinstitute.org/txt/ch/moth.htm

Zimmer, C. (2013). Evolution in Colo[u]r: From Peppered Moths to Walking Sticks,

National Geographic. Retrieved from:

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/09/evolution- in-color-

from-peppered-moths-to-walking-sticks/