Peppered Moth Dark Form vs Cypress Bark Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Peppered Moth Dark Form	Cypress Bark Moth
Scientific Name	Biston betularia f. carbonaria	Laspeyresia cupressana
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Geometridae	Tortricidae
Size	42-52 mm wingspan	12–18 mm wingspan
Habitat	Underground	Gardens
Diet	Herbivores	Wood Feeders
Regions	Europe	Mediterranean Europe, Western Asia
Conservation	Least Concern	Not Evaluated

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.

💡

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.

Cypress Bark Moth

A small moth whose larvae bore beneath the bark of cypress and juniper trees. It can cause significant damage to ornamental cypress plantings.

💡

Did You Know?

Heavy infestations cause extensive resin bleeding on cypress trunks, creating conspicuous white patches.