Biston betularia (Linnaeus, 1758) Species
Last modified: June 23, 2025, 10 p.m.
A common species throughout Belgium.
This species is the most well-known example in studies of industrial melanism.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Geometridae > Subfamily: Ennominae > Tribus: Bistonini > Genus: Biston > Species: Biston betularia
- Vernacular names
- Peper-en-zoutvlinder (NL), Peppered Moth (EN), La Phalène du Bouleau, le Biston du Bouleau (FR), Birkenspanner (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1844. Énumération des insectes Lépidoptères de la Belgique. — Mémoires de la Société royale des Sciences de Liége 2: 1–35. On page 16.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 35–60 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Bionomics
Hibernates as a pupa underground.
The moths come to light.
No pictures yet!
Flight periods
The adults fly from mid-May till mid-August in one generation a year.
Observed on
- Substrates:
- Deciduous trees and Herbaceous plants
The larva lives on a wide variety of trees and lower plants.
No pictures yet!
