Biston betularia, commonly known as the peppered moth, is renowned for its role in the study of natural selection. It exhibits remarkable camouflage, with a speckled appearance that blends into lichen-covered tree bark. This moth primarily inhabits woodlands and parks across Europe and North America.

Biston betularia, commonly known as the peppered moth, is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Its distribution spans across the temperate regions of these continents, with a particularly dense presence in the British Isles, parts of Scandinavia, and across the northern and central regions of Europe. In North America, it is found from the northeastern United States to parts of Canada.

The peppered moth typically inhabits deciduous and mixed woodlands, gardens, and parks. It thrives in temperate climates where there are abundant trees such as birch, oak, and willow, which serve as its primary food sources during the larval stage. The moth is also well-suited to urban environments where similar vegetation is present.

Biston betularia plays a role in the ecosystem as a pollinator and as prey for birds and other predators. Its larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of trees and shrubs, contributing to the plant's pruning and growth cycle. The moth has gained notoriety for its role in studies of natural selection, particularly regarding its color variations that allow it to camouflage against different environmental backgrounds, such as tree bark.