Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow vs Velvet Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow | Velvet Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colias werdandi | Dasymutilla occidentalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Mutillidae |
| Size | 38-46 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow
A pale greenish-yellow butterfly with very faint dark wing borders. It is closely associated with Scandinavian mountain habitats. The underside is pale with a small orange-ringed discal spot.
Did You Know?
This butterfly is endemic to the Scandinavian mountains and is not found anywhere else in the world.
Velvet Ant
Not actually an ant but a wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, colorful hair. Known as "cow killers" for their extremely painful sting. Parasitize ground-nesting bees.
Did You Know?
Velvet ants have been called the most indestructible insects — their exoskeleton is so tough that entomological pins bend when trying to pierce them.