Natural selection is an important component of evolution. Natural selection occurs when some members of a population are better adapted for survival and reproduction than others in that population (Phelan 284-85, 2011). The environment in which organisms live also plays a role in natural selection. Depending on environmental conditions, organisms can pass selected traits to their offspring. These selected traits will enable the next generation to adapt better and survive longer. An example of evolution that has occurred over the past ten years is that of the hypolimnas bolina, or blue moon butterfly. The blue moon butterfly evolved through the process of natural selection in order to survive. The male blue moon butterfly was threatened with extinction due to the parasitic bacteria wolbachia. The bacteria were transmitted from the mother and killed the male offspring before they hatched (Sherriff 2007). Fortunately, the male population has increased significantly due to natural selection. Through heritability, a gene was successfully passed on to the next ten generations of blue moon butterflies. This gene has been called the “savior” gene. This gene allows infected female butterflies to produce male butterflies that are unaffected by the previously deadly bacteria (Sherriff 2007). These newly adapted butterflies have a better fitness, or chance of survival, than those that were infected and did not inherit the “savior” gene. In the case of these butterflies, evolution occurred quite quickly and saved the population from extinction. Some believe that this gene could result from a random mutation. Others believe that a migratory butterfly may have carried the gene there...... middle of paper ...... Freeman, 2011. 284-85. Print. Phelan, Jay. "Chapter 8 Evolution and Natural Selection/Section 8.10: When three simple conditions are satisfied, evolution by natural selection occurs." What is life? : a guide to biology with physiology. New York: W. H. Freeman, 2011. 301-03. Print. “Reconciling creation and science. » Rational Christianity - Christian apologetics. Rational Christianity, November 2005. Web. November 4, 2011. .Sherriff, Lucy. “Rapid evolution saves butterflies from the blue moon • The Register.” The Register: Science/technology news for the world. The A Register, July 13, 2007. Web. November 15, 2011. Williams, Patricia A. “Christianity and Evolutionary Ethics.” From capitalism to democracy. June 1996. The web. November 3. 2011. .