Great Banded Grayling vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Banded Grayling | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brintesia circe | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 60-70 mm wingspan | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern and central Europe, western Asia | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Banded Grayling
A large brown butterfly with a prominent white band across the hindwing underside, resembling a tree-trunk fragment. It settles on tree bark and rocks, becoming almost invisible.
Did You Know?
When it lands on a tree trunk, it tilts to eliminate its shadow, perfecting its bark-like camouflage.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.