Peppered Moth- Biston betularia. My Weird & Wonderful World of Moths.

Peppered Moth - Biston betularia. The moth is from the family of Geometridae – subfamily--- Ennominae. It is a medium to large-sized macro moth, with a wingspan of 35 to 60 mm. The dark (melanic) morph of the peppered moth (Biston betularia) is inconspicuous on a soot-covered tree. In contrast, the light grey form stands out, leaving it vulnerable to predation by birds. The gradual darkening of the wings of the melanic peppered moth is an example of industrial melanism, having arisen because of living in woodlands darkened by industrial pollution. The moth as one generation and its flight season is from May to August. The moth is common in gardens and a wide variety of other habitats. It sometimes overwinters as a pupa just below the ground. The Larva appears from early July to late- September The twig-like larva feed on the leaves of a variety of trees and shrubs, including silver birch, oak, bramble and hawthorn. They have a deep cleft in their heads just like a broken stem, and legs that resemble thorns, making them perfectly camouflaged against the rose species they frequent. The moth is classed as common throughout the UK.

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