Family: Geometridae Checklist Number: 70.252
Biston betularia Linnaeus, 1758
Peppered Moth
Though widespread on the mainland only two records from the Outer Hebrides. A rather striking, large moth that has a blackish coloured form in industrial areas, though this type is now declining as atmospheric pollution decreases. Flies from May - August in wooded areas. Caterpillars feed upon a very wide range of trees and shrubs including birches (Betula), oaks (Quercus), poplars (Populus), bramble (Rubus) and broom (Cytisus scoparius)