Arctic Sulphur vs Doris Longwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Sulphur | Doris Longwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colias nastes | Heliconius doris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 36-46 mm wingspan | 65-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia) |
| 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.
Doris Longwing
A highly variable Heliconius butterfly that occurs in multiple color forms including blue, red, and green morphs. All forms share the same basic wing shape but differ dramatically in color pattern. It inhabits the understory of dense tropical forests.
Did You Know?
A single population can contain blue, red, and green color morphs, all controlled by a single genetic switch, making it a model for studying wing pattern evolution.