Arctic Tussock Moth vs Ross's Alpine
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Tussock Moth | Ross's Alpine |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dicallomera fascelina | Erebia rossii |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 34-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Scotland | Arctic Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon Territory |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Tussock Moth
A medium-sized moth with pale grayish-white wings in males and larger, more robust females. The caterpillar is strikingly hairy with tufted dark and pale hairs. It is found in northern heathlands and boreal forests.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's dense coat of hairs acts as insulation, allowing it to bask in the sun and raise its body temperature for active feeding.
Ross's Alpine
A dark brown butterfly with small reddish-orange eye spots on the forewings. Its cryptic coloration allows it to blend with dark tundra soils and rocks. It has a slow, bobbing flight pattern close to the ground.
Did You Know?
Named after the Arctic explorer Sir James Clark Ross, this butterfly takes two full years to develop from egg to adult.