Arctic Parasitic Wasp vs Black-waved Flannel Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Parasitic Wasp | Black-waved Flannel Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyposoter horticola | Megalopyge crispata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Megalopygidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 25-35 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic regions of Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Parasitic Wasp
A slender parasitic wasp with a black body, orange legs, and long antennae. Females search for caterpillar hosts on tundra vegetation. The larva develops inside the host caterpillar, eventually killing it.
Did You Know?
This wasp has been extensively studied as a model for understanding host-parasitoid population dynamics in changing Arctic ecosystems.
Black-waved Flannel Moth
A fluffy white to yellowish moth with wavy dark lines across the forewings. Like its relative the puss moth, its caterpillar is densely hairy and delivers a painful sting.
Did You Know?
The adult moth's long curly wing scales make it look remarkably like a tiny Persian cat.