Peppered Moth vs South American Tortoise Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Peppered Moth	South American Tortoise Beetle
Scientific Name	Biston betularia	Stolas coalita
Order	Lepidoptera	Coleoptera
Family	Geometridae	Chrysomelidae
Size	45-62 mm wingspan	10-14 mm
Habitat	Woodlands	Forests
Diet	Herbivores	Herbivores
Regions	Europe, Asia, North America	South America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

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.

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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.

South American Tortoise Beetle

A moderately large tortoise beetle with a distinctive pattern of dark markings on a lighter background, with broadly expanded elytral margins. Found in tropical South American forests.

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Did You Know?

The broadly expanded margins of its shell-like body can be pressed flat against a leaf surface, creating a sealed edge that is nearly impossible for predators to breach.