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moths that have more dark spots than the average moth are called what?

They are called melanic moths.

Quick answer

In biology, an individual with more dark pigment than the usual form of its species is described as melanic , so moths that have more dark spots than the average moth are called melanic.

Extra context

  • The classic example is the peppered moth, where darker, more heavily spotted individuals are referred to as melanic forms.
  • “Melanic” comes from melanin, the dark pigment that makes these moths appear darker than the typical form.

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