Peppered Moth Dark Form vs Banks' Jumping Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Peppered Moth Dark Form	Banks' Jumping Bristletail
Scientific Name	Biston betularia f. carbonaria	Machiloides banksi
Order	Lepidoptera	Archaeognatha
Family	Geometridae	Machilidae
Size	42-52 mm wingspan	8-10 mm
Habitat	Underground	Underground
Diet	Herbivores	Detritivores
Regions	Europe	United States, Canada
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

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.

Banks' Jumping Bristletail

A North American bristletail found in leaf litter and under stones. It has a cylindrical body covered in tiny scales.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few Archaeognatha species found in North America.