Ross's Alpine vs Provencal Burnet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ross's Alpine | Provencal Burnet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Erebia rossii | Zygaena occitanica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Zygaenidae |
| Size | 34-42 mm wingspan | Wingspan 25-35mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Arctic Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon Territory | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ross's Alpine
A dark brown butterfly with small reddish-orange eye spots on the forewings. Its cryptic coloration allows it to blend with dark tundra soils and rocks. It has a slow, bobbing flight pattern close to the ground.
Did You Know?
Named after the Arctic explorer Sir James Clark Ross, this butterfly takes two full years to develop from egg to adult.
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.