Early Thorn vs Arctic Woolly Bear Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Early Thorn | Arctic Woolly Bear Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Selenia dentaria | Gynaephora groenlandica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Erebidae |
| Size | 32-40 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Ellesmere Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Early Thorn
A moth that resembles a dead leaf when at rest, with twig-like resting posture. The spring generation is larger and darker than the summer generation. Comes readily to light.
Did You Know?
When at rest, this moth perches with wings raised over its back like a butterfly, mimicking a dead leaf.
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.