Arctic Woolly Bear Moth vs Small Magpie Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Woolly Bear Moth | Small Magpie Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gynaephora groenlandica | Anania hortulata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 26-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Ellesmere Island | Europe, Western Asia |
| 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.
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.
Small Magpie Moth
A pretty white moth with black spots and a yellow head. Despite its name, it is a crambid rather than a geometrid like the true Magpie Moth.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar lives inside a rolled leaf shelter that it spins shut with silk.