Arctic Sulphur vs Arctic Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Sulphur | Arctic Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colias nastes | Aedes nigripes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Culicidae |
| Size | 36-46 mm wingspan | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Sulphur
A pale greenish-white butterfly with dusky wing margins and small dark discal spots. Its subdued coloration helps it absorb warmth while basking with wings spread. It rarely strays far from its alpine or arctic habitat.
Did You Know?
On overcast days, this butterfly can raise its body temperature 10 degrees above air temperature by basking laterally to maximize solar absorption.
Arctic Mosquito
A large, dark-bodied mosquito common across the Arctic tundra. Females emerge in enormous swarms after snowmelt to blood-feed on caribou and other mammals. Adults have dark scales and pale-banded legs.
Did You Know?
Arctic mosquito swarms can be so dense they have been documented driving caribou to stampede across the tundra.