Norse Grayling vs North American Snow Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Norse Grayling | North American Snow Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oeneis norna | Boreus californicus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Boreidae |
| Size | 44-54 mm wingspan | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Norse Grayling
A medium-sized grayish-brown butterfly with subtle orange patches and small eyespots. The wings have a semi-translucent quality that helps with camouflage on lichen-covered ground. It has an erratic, low flight.
Did You Know?
This butterfly emerges in alternate years only, with populations synchronized so that all adults in an area appear in the same year.
North American Snow Scorpionfly
A small dark wingless scorpionfly found in mountainous regions of western North America. It is active during winter months on moss-covered substrates.
Did You Know?
These insects produce antifreeze compounds in their hemolymph that allow them to remain active at subzero temperatures.