Atmospheric pollution and industrial melanism

Abstract

The distribution of melanie forms in two moth and two ladybird species has been analysed in relation to fourteen environmental variables by multiple regression. Local smoke levels emerge as important factors in Phigalia pedaria and Adalia bipunctata whereas in Biston betularia sulphur dioxide appears to be the more important. The importance of crypsis is indicated in P. pedarie but not in the warningly coloured A. bipunctata; nor is it confirmed in B. betularia despite earlier experimental results. There is no evidence for industrial melanisrn in Adalia decempunctata. © 1973, The Genetical Society of Great Britain. All rights reserved.