This is a Peppered Moth. They are common in many areas of the world including the United States.

The Peppered Moth was also very common around Manchester, England, where they were easily camouflaged by the light colored bark of the area’s trees.

In the mid 1800’s, the Industrial Revolution had begun in England. Factories were springing up all over the country. People were excited about the changes happening all around them. Products were cheaper and easier to get. Common people could more easily afford things that before only rich people could afford.

Not all of the changes were good, however. The soot released into the air changed the landscape. Trees that were once white now had darker bark. Peppered moths were no longer camouflaged. Their numbers declined as they were more easily spotted by predator birds.

Then in 1848, people began noticing something. The moths which were formerly white began to change. New moths were no longer white, but black. They were now called “Peppered” because they seemed to be sprinkled with salt and pepper. By 1894 almost all of the moths near Manchester, England, were dark colored.

These “Peppered” Moths were now camouflaged on the soot covered trees and buildings of Manchester.

In the 20 th century, people became better stewards of the environment. We learned that we could not release all industrial waste into the atmosphere. Factories became cleaner, and so did the environment around Manchester. In the 1950’s, people again began noticing a change. The white moths began returning. Now the two Peppered Moths are commonly found around Manchester.