Peppered moth
(Redirected from Biston betularia)
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 | |
|---|---|
| 240px | |
| 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.png
Biston betularia caterpillars on birch (left) and willow (right), demonstrating twig mimicry and effective countershading.
- Biston.betularia.f.carbonaria.7209.jpg
Biston betularia betularia morpha carbonaria, the black-bodied peppered moth.
- Biston betularia parva male.JPG
Subspecies parva (male)
- Biston betularia parva female.JPG
Subspecies parva (female)
Subspecies Biston betularia nepalensis (male)
- Biston betularia nepalensis female.jpg
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)
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biston betularia. |