Peppered Moth Dark Form vs Short-Winged False Blister Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Peppered Moth Dark Form	Short-Winged False Blister Beetle
Scientific Name	Biston betularia f. carbonaria	Oedemera femorata
Order	Lepidoptera	Coleoptera
Family	Geometridae	Oedemeridae
Size	42-52 mm wingspan	8-12 mm
Habitat	Underground	Underground
Diet	Herbivores	Pollen Feeders
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.

Short-Winged False Blister Beetle

A dark-colored oedemerid with gaping elytra that do not cover the full abdomen. Males have conspicuously thickened hind legs.

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Did You Know?

Its elytra splay apart toward the tips, revealing the folded hindwings beneath in a distinctive V-shape.