Dobsonfly vs Ross's Alpine
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dobsonfly | Ross's Alpine |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corydalus cornutus | Erebia rossii |
| Order | Neuroptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Corydalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 40-55 mm body, 125 mm wingspan | 34-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Arctic Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon Territory |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dobsonfly
Large insects with intimidating mandibles in males that are actually too large to bite effectively. Aquatic hellgrammite larvae are prized as fishing bait and indicate clean water.
Did You Know?
Male dobsonflies have terrifying mandibles up to 40 mm long, but they are so large the males cannot actually generate enough force to pinch — the females bite harder.
Ross's Alpine
A dark brown butterfly with small reddish-orange eye spots on the forewings. Its cryptic coloration allows it to blend with dark tundra soils and rocks. It has a slow, bobbing flight pattern close to the ground.
Did You Know?
Named after the Arctic explorer Sir James Clark Ross, this butterfly takes two full years to develop from egg to adult.