Provencal Burnet vs Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Provencal Burnet | Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zygaena occitanica | Gynaephora rossii |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Zygaenidae | Erebidae |
| Size | Wingspan 25-35mm | 28-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Africa | Canadian Arctic, Alaska, northern Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Provencal Burnet
A small day-flying moth with dark blue-green metallic forewings bearing red spots and bright red hindwings. It contains hydrogen cyanide for defense.
Did You Know?
Both adults and larvae contain cyanide compounds making them toxic to birds and other predators at all life stages.
Arctic Woolly Bear Caterpillar Moth
A close relative of the Greenland woolly bear, this moth has pale gray wings and a densely furred body. The caterpillar is covered in long dark hairs and freezes solid each winter. Adults have reduced mouthparts.
Did You Know?
This moth's caterpillar is parasitized at very high rates by ichneumon wasps, which may extend its already decade-long development even further.