Arctic Sulphur vs Splendid Ochre
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Sulphur | Splendid Ochre |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colias nastes | Trapezites petalia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Hesperiidae |
| Size | 36-46 mm wingspan | 3-4 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones | Australia |
| 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.
Splendid Ochre
A moderately large skipper butterfly with bright orange uppersides and mottled brown undersides. Males perch conspicuously on low vegetation to defend territories.
Did You Know?
It is one of the largest skipper butterflies in Australia.