Long-tailed Blue vs Arctic Tussock Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-tailed Blue Arctic Tussock Moth
Scientific Name Lampides boeticus Dicallomera fascelina
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Erebidae
Size 24-34 mm wingspan 35-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Seed Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Scotland
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Long-tailed Blue

A small pale violet-blue butterfly with thin hairlike tails on the hindwings and prominent false eyespots near them. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world.

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Did You Know?

The false head pattern on the hindwing tails tricks predators into attacking the wrong end of the butterfly.

Arctic Tussock Moth

A medium-sized moth with pale grayish-white wings in males and larger, more robust females. The caterpillar is strikingly hairy with tufted dark and pale hairs. It is found in northern heathlands and boreal forests.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar's dense coat of hairs acts as insulation, allowing it to bask in the sun and raise its body temperature for active feeding.