Subarctic Dart Moth vs Richmond Birdwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Subarctic Dart Moth | Richmond Birdwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agrotis gelida | Ornithoptera richmondia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 32-40 mm wingspan | 11-13 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Alaska, northern Canada, subarctic Siberia | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Subarctic Dart Moth
A medium-sized moth with dark grayish-brown forewings marked with kidney and orbicular spots. It flies in midsummer across subarctic tundra. Larvae are typical cutworms that feed on low-growing tundra vegetation.
Did You Know?
The larvae spend the harsh Arctic winter frozen in the soil, resuming feeding for only a few weeks each summer.
Richmond Birdwing
A large subtropical birdwing butterfly with green and black males and brown females. It is threatened by habitat loss and a toxic introduced vine.
Did You Know?
Larvae that accidentally feed on the invasive Dutchman's pipe vine are poisoned and die.