Peppered Moth Dark Form vs Large Case Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Peppered Moth Dark Form	Large Case Moth
Scientific Name	Biston betularia f. carbonaria	Metura elongatus
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Geometridae	Psychidae
Size	42-52 mm wingspan	Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan
Habitat	Underground	Woodlands
Diet	Herbivores	Herbivores
Regions	Europe	Australia
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.

Large Case Moth

A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.

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Did You Know?

The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.