Biol Lett August 2012 PMID 22319093

Selective bird predation on the peppered moth: the last experiment of Michael Majerus.

L M Cook, B S Grant, I J Saccheri, J Mallet

Mentions

48
Peak: 26 in Feb 2024
across 6 sources since Jan 2015

Extended reach

369,794
potential audience

Total likes

3,136

Video views

126,579

Mentions per month

Jan 2015 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter36 posts
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  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Participants demonstrate strong support and interest by referencing the 2012 study and sharing videos illustrating moth predation, indicating active engagement with the experiment’s findings. The tone combines enthusiasm and scientific curiosity, emphasizing the experiment’s role in confirming natural selection in a broader evolutionary context.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the validity and significance of Majerus's experiment, emphasizing its confirmation of natural selection in peppered moths.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity and enthusiasm, exemplified by calls to watch videos and references to classic evolutionary studies.

EngagementModerate engagement

Conversations involve references to scientific experiments, debates about interpretations, and sharing of supplementary videos, indicating active participation.

ImpactModerate impact

The collective discussions reflect an acknowledgment of the experiment’s importance in confirming natural selection, suggesting a moderate influence on understanding evolutionary processes.

Abstract in brief

  • Michael Majerus conducted the largest experiment to study bird predation on peppered moths, releasing over 4,800 moths over six years to analyze natural selection.
  • His findings showed strong evidence that birds preferentially preyed on melanics, which explains the recent decrease in melanism since the decline of industrial pollution.
  • The study confirms that camouflage and bird predation played a key role in the rise and fall of melanism in peppered moths, supporting earlier theories about natural selection.]

Top posts

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Adrian Smith
@DrAdrianSmith · X

Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 80 likes · 25 shares · 10,029 followers View post →
TierZoo
@TierZoo · X

https://t.co/IMA6vTXztd another banger vid by @DrAdrianSmith

Feb 2, 2024 · 28 likes · 1 share · 133,391 followers View post →
Christoph Bleidorn
@C_Blei · X

Part two of my @UGoe_AEB introductory lecture for biologists is coming already today and I will revisit an evolutionary biology classic: natural selection in the peppered moth. See also this paper by @WTF_R_species https://t.co/UJG1sg5FOW https://t.co/JDWbKgwcE9

Oct 25, 2022 · 8 likes · 3,016 followers View post →
Jackson Wheat
@JacksonWheat1 · X

@look2Christ Nope, natural selection has been experimentally verified many, many times: https://t.co/xU8Ea9RuH9

Jul 31, 2023 · 4 likes · 2,831 followers View post →
Biotecnólogo cabreado con Brillos Platino
@LostTransposon · X

2⃣Cook, L. M., Grant, B. S., Saccheri, I. J., & Mallet, J. (2012). Selective bird predation on the peppered moth: The last experiment of Michael Majerus. Biology Letters, 8(4), 609-612. https://t.co/lS5Y3IhHZD

Aug 17, 2020 · 3 likes · 4,240 followers View post →
Rulon James Downard
@RJDownard · X

@ox45tallboy @QuantumSorvius @antallan @TakethatCt @JacksonWheat1 Not that it will matter to sourceless Sorvius' foot stamping bluster, but here's the confirmation work from 2012 (open access) https://t.co/jmCpY1pxnb

Jul 13, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,611 followers View post →

All mentions

Insect Flight Dynamics in Slow Motion at 6000fps

Nine moth species and one caddisfly are filmed in slow motion at 6000fps, revealing detailed flight behaviors. The footage includes species from various families, showcasing insect flight mechanisms in high detail.

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Mohammed Alaa
@Apriem0 · X

@Darkxgon @bttaarr_ تريد دلائل تبشررررر. https://t.co/JP4QiYa4aA https://t.co/OITykFCbwj https://t.co/eVkpnejdGD https://t.co/VXcp0CTu9m https://t.co/iPOI0QOkYU https://t.co/rn0Wpbm8xq https://t.co/72uqJ8FMmR https://t.co/xKtSA07RAI https://t.co/G8171iXvWJ https://t.co/evRs1z13d7

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Sid
@DilettanteSci · X

@StephenCMeyer https://t.co/KUWWPbqhMt

Oct 11, 2024 · 34 followers View post →
Rulon James Downard
@RJDownard · X

@ox45tallboy @QuantumSorvius @antallan @TakethatCt @JacksonWheat1 Not that it will matter to sourceless Sorvius' foot stamping bluster, but here's the confirmation work from 2012 (open access) https://t.co/jmCpY1pxnb

Jul 13, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,611 followers View post →
Michael
@CrossInStyle · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 7, 2024 · 25 shares · 347 followers View post →
Glauco Martins
@glaucoluis_ · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 6, 2024 · 25 shares · 288 followers View post →
UC Davis Entomology and Nematology
@UCDavisEntomolo · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 5, 2024 · 25 shares · 4,115 followers View post →
Javed Ahmed
@curiocritters · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 5, 2024 · 25 shares · 1,106 followers View post →
Tyler parrish
@tyler_parrish · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 5, 2024 · 25 shares · 258 followers View post →
Entomological Society of America
@EntsocAmerica · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 5, 2024 · 25 shares · 32,847 followers View post →
Steakfou
@Steakfou · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 4, 2024 · 25 shares · 57 followers View post →
Isa Betancourt
@isabetabug · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 4,934 followers View post →
Debbie Currie
@DebbieCurrie · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 91 followers View post →
Aaron Mboma
@mboma_aaron · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 393 followers View post →
Taupo
@pierrekerner · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 10,048 followers View post →
Salma سلمى
@Hajrihs · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 511 followers View post →
Pilar
@Pilar291_ · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 3, 2024 · 25 shares · 90 followers View post →
Sudh, zoologist wannabe, Vgen comms open
@ssappurisa3 · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 4,164 followers View post →
Paul D Brinkman
@deadnaturalists · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 1,632 followers View post →
Dr. Nicole Wonderlin
@nicolewonderlin · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 337 followers View post →
too
@avoidslife · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 448 followers View post →
Johann
@JohannVonVorst · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 753 followers View post →
the chitinous scavenger
@SKULLHORNETS · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 1,623 followers View post →
Stochastic Jocosity
@murrdogg · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 412 followers View post →
Adrian Smith
@DrAdrianSmith · X

RT @TierZoo: https://t.co/IMA6vTXztd another banger vid by @DrAdrianSmith

Feb 2, 2024 · 1 share · 10,029 followers View post →
Christophe Duplais
@Chemistophe · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 1,786 followers View post →
TierZoo
@TierZoo · X

https://t.co/IMA6vTXztd another banger vid by @DrAdrianSmith

Feb 2, 2024 · 28 likes · 1 share · 133,391 followers View post →
Abie
@temptoetiam · X

RT @DrAdrianSmith: Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 25 shares · 3,944 followers View post →
Adrian Smith
@DrAdrianSmith · X

Chill out for 7.5 minutes and watch some moths! New video today: https://t.co/6T9WBCsUYi https://t.co/3A1o2Q6moJ

Feb 2, 2024 · 80 likes · 25 shares · 10,029 followers View post →
Jackson Wheat
@JacksonWheat1 · X

@sallyforthe https://t.co/6OLB5Zis1o

Nov 20, 2023 · 2 likes · 2,831 followers View post →
Jackson Wheat
@JacksonWheat1 · X

@look2Christ Nope, natural selection has been experimentally verified many, many times: https://t.co/xU8Ea9RuH9

Jul 31, 2023 · 4 likes · 2,831 followers View post →
Christoph Bleidorn
@C_Blei · X

Part two of my @UGoe_AEB introductory lecture for biologists is coming already today and I will revisit an evolutionary biology classic: natural selection in the peppered moth. See also this paper by @WTF_R_species https://t.co/UJG1sg5FOW https://t.co/JDWbKgwcE9

Oct 25, 2022 · 8 likes · 3,016 followers View post →
Grant Kinsler
@GrantKinsler · X

@PetrovADmitri In this classical peppered moth example, the melanic morph was measured to be selected against with s~0.1 in predation experiments in after pollution regulation. https://t.co/T85MfJQH4e

Aug 25, 2022 · 705 followers View post →
Wisp1a☄️
@Canna420Uk · X

Selective bird predation on the peppered moth: the last experiment of Michael Majerus | Biology Letters https://t.co/sZTZEugYHo

Oct 22, 2021 · 2 likes · 721 followers View post →
Biotecnólogo cabreado con Brillos Platino
@LostTransposon · X

2⃣Cook, L. M., Grant, B. S., Saccheri, I. J., & Mallet, J. (2012). Selective bird predation on the peppered moth: The last experiment of Michael Majerus. Biology Letters, 8(4), 609-612. https://t.co/lS5Y3IhHZD

Aug 17, 2020 · 3 likes · 4,240 followers View post →
Crispin Doyle
@CrispyCX · X

@jamesb_bkk @AtomsksSanakan @AltCyberCommand @Ozwino @dan613 @PerryCampbell5 @Gladfly1 @craigthomler @AmericaGirI @shandore @NoelTurner194 @VickieLouise7 @audiF1 @GillesnFio @SaferStone @Tokyo_Tom @GaiaLovesMe @Barbarajdurkin @JpiersM @ned2au @Tangomitteckel @Quantummist @zwpiay @FraserMacLeod5 @Annie59788939 @WeR2Dumb2Live @nuclear94 @jaaara1970 @novakglobal @kamiel79 @Carbongate @stevenjbernard @guerrillacrypto @TesterTwitt @aSinister @puremoneylife @LatinMass9876 @ObliviousReaper @foothillsconsig @scotpolitik @Alexocasocortez @BradPKeyes @vincent_philion @strangecorn @wlbeeton @DeniseDoris59 @tacitus333 @keepitsimple48 @TacomaCharras @ronnieressler The peppered moth has recently been the subject of a six-year long study, giving new evidence that camouflage and bird predation are indeed strong selection pressures for moth colour. https://t.co/xWIr4hzbxH

Mar 28, 2019 · 223 followers View post →
Michael Dettelbach
@msdettelbach · X

@HHMINEWS Except there was no speciation. How is this different from peppered moth evolution? https://t.co/qYhf2Luvmg

Mar 6, 2019 · 111 followers View post →
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