Norse Grayling vs Peppered Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Norse Grayling | Peppered Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oeneis norna | Biston betularia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 44-54 mm wingspan | 45-62 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Norse Grayling
A medium-sized grayish-brown butterfly with subtle orange patches and small eyespots. The wings have a semi-translucent quality that helps with camouflage on lichen-covered ground. It has an erratic, low flight.
Did You Know?
This butterfly emerges in alternate years only, with populations synchronized so that all adults in an area appear in the same year.
Peppered Moth
The classic textbook example of natural selection in action. During the Industrial Revolution, dark (melanic) forms became dominant in polluted areas with soot-darkened trees.
Did You Know?
The peppered moth is the most famous example of observed evolution — dark moths increased from 2% to 95% of the population during Britains Industrial Revolution.