Processionary Caterpillar Moth vs Arctic Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Processionary Caterpillar Moth | Arctic Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ochrogaster lunifer | Amara alpina |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Notodontidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Greenland |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Processionary Caterpillar Moth
A moth whose caterpillars are famous for travelling in long, nose-to-tail processions through the Australian bush. The larvae are covered in irritating hairs that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans.
Did You Know?
Processions of caterpillars can stretch for metres and contain hundreds of individuals following a silk trail left by the leader.
Arctic Ground Beetle
A small, dark bronze ground beetle found on Arctic and alpine tundra. It has a broad, flattened body ideal for sheltering under stones. Adults are active during the brief Arctic summer and are partially herbivorous.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been found in Quaternary fossil deposits across northern Europe, showing it has inhabited the tundra since the last Ice Age.