Arctic Ringlet vs Gypsy Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Ringlet Gypsy Moth
Scientific Name Erebia disa Lymantria dispar
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Erebidae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 37-62 mm wingspan
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Scandinavia, Siberia, Northern North America Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arctic Ringlet

A dark brown ringlet butterfly of arctic and alpine bogs. It flies low over sedge tussocks in a slow, bobbing flight pattern.

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Did You Know?

It has a two-year life cycle in the Arctic, with larvae overwintering twice.

Gypsy Moth

A sexually dimorphic moth where males are brown and can fly, while females are white with dark markings and are flightless. Caterpillars are voracious defoliators.

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Did You Know?

A single caterpillar can eat up to one square meter of leaves during its development, and outbreaks can strip entire forests bare.