peppered moth

British  

noun

1. a European geometrid moth, Biston betularia, occurring in a pale grey speckled form in rural areas and a black form in industrial regions See also melanism

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Example Sentences

Commonly used in biology textbooks, the peppered moth is a classic example of evolutionary change in action.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Probably the best-known example of urban evolution is the English peppered moth whose coloration darkened in the 19th century in response to coal pollution.

From Scientific American • Mar. 25, 2022

Until recently, the most famous example of rapid evolution was the story of the peppered moth.

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2021

Given the exalted status of the peppered moth, the first paper is a “landmark study,” says evolutionary biologist Peter Holland of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, who wasn’t involved in the research.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 1, 2016

As tree trunks grew progressively blacker, however, it became easier for birds to see and prey upon the speckled variety of the peppered moth.

From Time Magazine Archive