Starting in the 1800s, the soot of British industry blackened the trees of England, prompting peppered moths to develop a darker colour; after pollution declined, they became lighter again, and a 2016 study identified the genetic change responsible

A remarkable genetic shift in the peppered moth, triggered by a ‘jumping gene,’ allowed it to adapt rapidly to industrial pollution. As soot darkened trees, a mutation increased dark pigmentation, saving moths from predators. With cleaner air, the pale form has now returned, showcasing nature’s incredible adaptability and the delicate balance of ecosystems.