Larch Sawfly vs Freija Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Larch Sawfly Freija Fritillary
Scientific Name Pristiphora erichsonii Boloria freija
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Nymphalidae
Size 8-12 mm (adult) 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Tundra & Arctic
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America, Europe Alaska, northern Canada, Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Larch Sawfly

The most important defoliator of larch in North America. Periodic outbreaks can last for years and cause significant growth reduction.

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Did You Know?

Indigenous peoples used outbreaks as a calendar marker, as they occurred with notable regularity.

Freija Fritillary

A medium-small fritillary with bright orange wings bearing black zigzag markings. The hindwing underside features a distinctive arrowhead pattern in white and brown. It has a rapid, low flight over tundra bogs.

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Did You Know?

Named after the Norse goddess Freya, this butterfly is among the first to fly each spring in the boreal north.