Peppered Moth

The peppered moth is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is night flying, and found mainly in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Peppered moth evolution is an example of population genetics and natural selection. Scientific Name: Biston betularia Range: Europe, Asia, North America Size: Wingspan 4.5–6.2 cm Status: Common ID Notes: Two color morphs — typica (whitish, peppered with black) and carbonaria (nearly all black). Famous example of industrial melanism. Behavior / Notes: Classic textbook case of natural selection. Light forms predominated in pre-industrial Britain (camouflaged on lichen); dark forms took over during the Industrial Revolution when pollution killed lichen and darkened tree bark.