Peppered Moth vs Tooth-Necked Fungus Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Peppered Moth | Tooth-Necked Fungus Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Biston betularia | Bolitotherus cornutus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 45-62 mm wingspan | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Eastern North 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.
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.
Tooth-Necked Fungus Beetle
A heavily armored, warty brown beetle that feeds on shelf fungi on dead trees. Males have two prominent horns on the thorax.
Did You Know?
It plays dead so convincingly that it is nearly impossible to distinguish from a piece of bark.