Arctic Fritillary vs Thistledown Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Fritillary | Thistledown Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boloria chariclea | Dasymutilla gloriosa |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 28-36 mm wingspan | 12-20 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic North America, Scandinavia, Siberia | Southwestern United States from California to Texas |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Fritillary
A small, orange-brown fritillary butterfly of arctic and alpine tundra. Its underside has distinctive silvery-white markings.
Did You Know?
It can complete its life cycle in the brief two-month arctic summer.
Thistledown Velvet Ant
A strikingly beautiful velvet ant covered in long white hair that resembles a piece of thistledown blowing across desert sand. The wingless females are a remarkable mimic of windblown plant material.
Did You Know?
Its white fluffy appearance camouflages it among the creosote seed pods and dried plant debris of its desert habitat.