Rosy Underwing vs Dusky-winged Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rosy Underwing Dusky-winged Fritillary
Scientific Name Catocala electa Boloria natazhati
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Nymphalidae
Size 65-80 mm wingspan 28-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Tundra & Arctic
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia Alaska, Yukon, northern British Columbia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rosy Underwing

A large moth with camouflaged grey-brown forewings hiding vivid rosy-pink and black hindwings. When disturbed, the flash of pink confuses predators as it drops from its perch.

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Did You Know?

Like all underwing moths, it uses a startle display, flashing its bright hindwings then vanishing as it re-covers them.

Dusky-winged Fritillary

A small fritillary butterfly with dark brown wings bearing orange spots and complex underside markings. It flies in remote mountain passes and high tundra. The species is named after Mount Natazhat in Alaska.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly is so restricted to high-altitude Arctic habitats that each mountain population may be genetically distinct.