Peppered Moth Dark Form vs Oak Bush-cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Peppered Moth Dark Form Oak Bush-cricket
Scientific Name Biston betularia f. carbonaria Meconema thalassinum
Order Lepidoptera Orthoptera
Family Geometridae Tettigoniidae
Size 42-52 mm wingspan 12-17mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Oak Bush-cricket

A slender, pale green bush-cricket found in tree canopies. It is nocturnal and rarely flies despite having fully developed wings. Females have a long, upcurved ovipositor.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few predatory katydids in Europe, hunting aphids and caterpillars at night.