Delta-spotted Spiketail vs Melissa Arctic
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Delta-spotted Spiketail | Melissa Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cordulegaster diastatops | Oeneis melissa |
| Order | Odonata | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Cordulegastridae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 70-78 mm | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Arctic and subarctic North America, Rocky Mountain alpine zones |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Delta-spotted Spiketail
A large spiketail of eastern North America with distinctive triangular yellow spots along its dark abdomen. It patrols forest streams with a slow, deliberate flight.
Did You Know?
The triangular or delta-shaped abdominal spots give this impressive spiketail its common name.
Melissa Arctic
A gray-brown butterfly with subtle orange patches and small blind eyespots. The hindwing underside features dark, bark-like striations for camouflage. It has an erratic, bouncing flight that makes it hard to track.
Did You Know?
Populations on isolated mountain peaks are considered glacial relicts, stranded since the last Ice Age when the tundra receded northward.