Arctic Seed Bug vs Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Seed Bug | Tundra Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nysius groenlandicus | Ichneumon gracilicornis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lygaeidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Svalbard | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Seed Bug
A small, elongate grayish-brown seed bug with a narrow body and prominent eyes. It feeds on seeds and plant sap in Arctic tundra. Adults can tolerate freezing temperatures and are active throughout the short summer.
Did You Know?
This is one of the very few true bugs found in Greenland, where it survives on seeds of the limited Arctic flora.
Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
A medium-sized ichneumon wasp with a black body and conspicuous yellow-banded abdomen. It has a long, slender ovipositor for parasitizing moth pupae. Adults are active during the Arctic summer's long daylight hours.
Did You Know?
Ichneumon wasps in the Arctic play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of defoliating moths in birch forests.