Arctic Crane Fly vs Arctic Sulphur
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Crane Fly | Arctic Sulphur |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tipula arctica | Colias nastes |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tipulidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 15-25 mm body length | 36-46 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Crane Fly
A large, long-legged fly with narrow wings and a slender body. Its legs break off easily when seized by predators. Larvae are leathery-skinned grubs living in wet tundra soil where they feed on roots.
Did You Know?
Despite their mosquito-like appearance, crane flies are completely harmless and cannot bite.
Arctic Sulphur
A pale greenish-white butterfly with dusky wing margins and small dark discal spots. Its subdued coloration helps it absorb warmth while basking with wings spread. It rarely strays far from its alpine or arctic habitat.
Did You Know?
On overcast days, this butterfly can raise its body temperature 10 degrees above air temperature by basking laterally to maximize solar absorption.