Polar Fritillary vs Lesser Yellow Underwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Polar Fritillary | Lesser Yellow Underwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boloria polaris | Noctua comes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 30-38 mm wingspan | 40-46 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, northern Alaska, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Siberia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Polar Fritillary
A small butterfly with warm orange upperwings marked with dark spots and zigzag lines. The underside has a distinctive pattern of white and reddish-brown patches. It is restricted to true Arctic tundra habitats.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most northerly butterflies in the world, found within a few hundred kilometers of the North Pole on Ellesmere Island.
Lesser Yellow Underwing
Similar to the Large Yellow Underwing but smaller with more orange-yellow hindwings. Very common in gardens and attracted to light. Larvae feed on many herbaceous plants.
Did You Know?
Together with its larger relative, forms one of the most abundant moth species partnerships in garden moth traps.