Arctic Grayling vs Tawny Emperor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Grayling | Tawny Emperor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oeneis bore | Asterocampa clyton |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 38-48 mm wingspan | 40-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Mountains | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Alaska, northern Canada | Eastern and Central North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Tawny Emperor
A warm tawny-brown butterfly with dark bars and a row of small eyespots on the hindwing. Unlike most butterflies, it rarely visits flowers, preferring tree sap and rotting fruit.
Did You Know?
It is strongly attracted to human perspiration and will readily land on sweaty hikers.