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Peppered Moth
ExploreInsects
Peppered Moth
Biston betularia
The Peppered Moth is a special insect that can change its color! It helps scientists understand how animals adapt to their surroundings. These moths are often found resting on trees, blending in with the bark.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Peppered Moth has a distinctive mottled appearance, typically pale with dark speckles across its wings and body, resembling lichen-covered bark. Some individuals are entirely dark or black, a form known as melanic, which makes them look starkly different from their speckled relatives.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyGeometridaeGenusBiston
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult Peppered Moths typically don't eat anything, living only for a short time to lay eggs!
Baby Peppered Moths, called caterpillars, look like twigs to fool predators!
Scientists use Peppered Moths to teach about natural selection and evolution in action.
Their color can shift from light to dark, or back again, in just a few years!
Special abilities
Ability
Evolution in Action
Peppered Moths can quickly change their common wing color over generations because of genetic shifts that help them survive in changing environments.
Ability
Tree Trunk Impersonator
Peppered Moths have specific speckled or dark wing patterns that make them look exactly like tree bark or lichen, helping them hide from hungry birds.
Ability
Pollution Protector
Peppered Moths developed darker wings in polluted areas because of adaptation that helped them camouflage better on sooty trees.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-60 mm
- Size
- 20-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Baby moths eat tree leaves, while adult moths usually do not feed at all.
Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on various tree leaves, but adult moths typically do not feed or only sip water.
Primary Foods
- Oak leaves
- Birch leaves
- Willow leaves
- Elm leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Common Oak
Quercus robur
Its larvae feed on the leaves of this tree.
eaten by
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Common predator of adult Peppered Moths.
eaten by
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Nocturnal bats hunt adult moths at night.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Moths are safe to observe, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peppered Moth's wingspan?
35-60 mm
How big is Peppered Moth?
20-30 mm
How long does Peppered Moth live?
10-20 days
How fast can Peppered Moth fly?
8 km/h
What does Peppered Moth eat?
Baby moths eat tree leaves, while adult moths usually do not feed at all.
Where is Peppered Moth usually found?
Forests
How does Peppered Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Peppered Moth have?
6
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