70.252 BF1931 - Peppered Moth - Geometridae - Biston betularia

70.252 BF1931 - Geometridae - Ennominae - Biston betularia - Peppered Moth

Adult Macro: CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Geometridae

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: This moth is affected by air quality and the usual form in most rural areas is white. The dark form tends to be more predominant in urban areas where the air quality can be affected by pollution. The white form is peppered with black markings and is fairly diagnostic. The wings are triangular and elongated and are held open and flat at rest.

Distribution: A resident, widely distributed and fairly common throughout Derbyshire, especially in the Trent Valley and coal measures. Melanic forms are predominant.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / - On the wing May – August

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Wingspan: 35-60mm
Forewing: 22-28mm

Food Plant: Various small plants, trees and shrubs.

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne, Derbyshire – Images by Tony Davison ©