Peppered moth
The peppered moth (Biston betularia) is a species of night-flying moth. They are often used by educators as an example of natural selection: see peppered moth evolution.
| Peppered moth | |
|---|---|
| |
| Biston betularia betularia morpha typica | |
| Conservation status | |
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Binomial name | |
| Biston betularia | |
The caterpillars of the peppered moth mimic the form and also the colour of the twig they rest on. The caterpillars can sense the twig’s colour with their skin and match their body colour to the background to protect themselves from predators.[1]
Peppered Moth Media
Biston betularia caterpillars on birch (left) and willow (right), demonstrating twig mimicry and effective countershading.
Figure 2a. Total number of observed moths = 59: Exposed trunk = 7; unexposed trunk = 7; trunk-branch joint = 23; branches = 22
Figure 2b. Total number of observed moths = 23: Exposed trunk =1; unexposed trunk =1; trunk branch join = 3; branches thicker than 5 centimetres diameter = 10; branches and twigs less thick than 5 centimetres = 8
Biston betularia betularia morpha carbonaria, the black-bodied peppered moth.
Subspecies parva (male)
Subspecies parva (female)
Subspecies Biston betularia nepalensis (male)
Subspecies nepalensis (female)
References
- ↑ Eacock A., Rowland H.R., van’t Hof A.E., Yung C., Edmonds N., Saccheri I.J (2019). "Caterpillars of the peppered moth perceive color through their skin to match their body color to the background". Archived from the original on 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)