Arctic Sulphur vs Map Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Sulphur | Map Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colias nastes | Araschnia levana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 36-46 mm wingspan | 32-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones | Europe, temperate Asia |
| 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.
Map Butterfly
A small butterfly that produces two dramatically different seasonal forms within the same year. Spring adults are orange with black spots; summer adults are black with white bands.
Did You Know?
The seasonal colour change is triggered by day length during the larval stage, not temperature.