Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth vs Tenerife Speckled Wood Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth | Tenerife Speckled Wood Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gynaephora rossii | Pararge xiphioides |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 28-38 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Alaska, northern Siberia | Canary Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth
A close relative of the Greenland woolly bear, this moth has pale gray wings and a densely furred body. The caterpillar is covered in long dark hairs and freezes solid each winter. Adults have reduced mouthparts.
Did You Know?
This moth's caterpillar is parasitized at very high rates by ichneumon wasps, which may extend its already decade-long development even further.
Tenerife Speckled Wood Butterfly
A brown butterfly with orange eyespot patches endemic to the western Canary Islands. It flies in shaded laurel forest clearings.
Did You Know?
Males defend sun patches on the forest floor, chasing away any intruding butterflies.