Subarctic Dart Moth vs Sand-Case Caddisfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Subarctic Dart Moth | Sand-Case Caddisfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agrotis gelida | Sericostoma personatum |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Sericostomatidae |
| Size | 32-40 mm wingspan | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Alaska, northern Canada, subarctic Siberia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Sand-Case Caddisfly
A caddisfly whose larvae build smooth, curved cases entirely from fine sand grains cemented with silk. Adults are dark with hairy wings.
Did You Know?
The curved sand-grain cases built by these larvae are so precisely constructed they resemble tiny miniature architectural works.