Arctic Woolly Bear Moth vs Pale Evening Dun

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Woolly Bear Moth Pale Evening Dun
Scientific Name Gynaephora groenlandica Heptagenia adaequata
Order Lepidoptera Ephemeroptera
Family Erebidae Heptageniidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 8-12 mm
Habitat Heathland Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Ellesmere Island Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arctic Woolly Bear Moth

A medium-sized moth whose caterpillar is famous for its extremely long development. Adults are gray-brown with hairy bodies. The densely hairy caterpillar is dark brown to black and curls into a tight ball when disturbed.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar can take up to 14 years to complete development, spending most of each year frozen solid and thawing for only a few weeks of feeding each summer.

Pale Evening Dun

A flat-bodied mayfly whose nymphs press tightly against rocks in swift currents. Adults emerge at dusk during summer months.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely flattened body allows it to resist currents that would sweep away most other insects.