Evolution in action

“Patterned predators like hyenas are able to get close enough to their prey without detection”

One moth was able to adapt to the increase in air pollution during the Industrial Revolution at lightning speed. The peppered moth is a cream-winged night flier that can camouflage on lichen-covered tree trunks. It was discovered in 1758, but by 1811 everything had changed for the species.

As soot sprinkled over British cities, a new melanistic morph of the moth emerged. Its black body blended excellently with the freshly polluted surroundings that saw lichen fall from the trees. The light-coloured specimens were subject to predation by birds, while the dark moths were safely hidden from their avian oppressors. By 1895, up to 98 per cent of inner city peppered moths were black.

However, the cream costume has made a comeback since the early 1960s, with 50 to 90 per cent of moths wearing their signature colour.

The pale peppered moth (left) and its melanistic variant (right) are an example of natural selection

The decorator crab wanders the sea bed in a costume made from other marine life

Mimicking a tree branch, this potoo mother shows her baby what it takes to be confused with bark