Blue Flea Beetle vs Peppered Moth Dark Form

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Blue Flea Beetle	Peppered Moth Dark Form
Scientific Name	Altica lythri	Biston betularia f. carbonaria
Order	Coleoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Chrysomelidae	Geometridae
Size	4-5 mm	42-52 mm wingspan
Habitat	Rivers & Streams	Underground
Diet	Herbivores	Herbivores
Regions	Europe	Europe
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Blue Flea Beetle

A small metallic blue-green flea beetle that feeds on willowherb and evening primrose. Has enlarged hind femora enabling it to jump considerable distances. Widespread but often overlooked.

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Did You Know?

Despite its tiny size, it can jump over 100 times its own body length using its powerful hind legs.

Peppered Moth Dark Form

The dark melanic form of the famous peppered moth, a textbook example of natural selection. Became dominant during industrial pollution when soot darkened tree bark.

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Did You Know?

The rise and fall of the dark form tracks industrial pollution so closely it remains the best example of evolution in action.