Ross's Alpine vs Tumbu Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ross's Alpine Tumbu Fly
Scientific Name Erebia rossii Cordylobia anthropophaga
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Nymphalidae Calliphoridae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 9-12 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Indoors
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Arctic Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon Territory Sub-Saharan 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.

Tumbu Fly

An African blow fly whose larvae cause furuncular myiasis in humans and animals. Females lay eggs on soil or clothing hung out to dry.

💡

Did You Know?

Ironing clothes thoroughly after drying them outdoors kills the eggs and prevents skin infestation.