Question

Do you think the black moths would have increased population if the Industrial Revolution didn't occur? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

The dark moths were now better camouflaged. As a result, dark moths had a greater chance of reproducing and passing on the alleles that made them dark. This led to a gradual increase in the proportion of dark moths until light moths became very rare in industrial areas. The moth populations in these areas had evolved.