Arctic Grayling vs Glanville Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Grayling | Glanville Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oeneis bore | Melitaea cinxia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 38-48 mm wingspan | 33-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Mountains | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Alaska, northern Canada | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (rare in Britain) |
Arctic Grayling
A pale grayish-brown butterfly with a translucent, papery wing quality and subtle darker striations. Its cryptic appearance makes it nearly invisible on lichen-covered rocks. Adults are extremely wary and difficult to approach.
Did You Know?
When this butterfly lands on lichen-covered rocks, it tilts sideways to align its wing veins with the rock cracks, achieving near-perfect camouflage.
Glanville Fritillary
An orange and black chequered butterfly confined in Britain to the Isle of Wight's coastal cliffs. It was named after Lady Eleanor Glanville, an eccentric 17th-century collector.
Did You Know?
Lady Glanville's relatives tried to have her will annulled, claiming only a lunatic would collect butterflies.