Cactoblastis Moth vs Polar Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cactoblastis Moth | Polar Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cactoblastis cactorum | Boloria polaris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 27-35 mm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Canadian Arctic, northern Alaska, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cactoblastis Moth
Originally from South America, this moth was introduced to Australia in 1926 as a biological control agent against invasive prickly pear cactus. It is celebrated as one of the most successful biocontrol programmes in history.
Did You Know?
A memorial hall was built in Boonarga, Queensland, in honour of this moth for saving millions of hectares of farmland.
Polar Fritillary
A small butterfly with warm orange upperwings marked with dark spots and zigzag lines. The underside has a distinctive pattern of white and reddish-brown patches. It is restricted to true Arctic tundra habitats.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most northerly butterflies in the world, found within a few hundred kilometers of the North Pole on Ellesmere Island.