Subarctic Dart Moth vs Small-eyed Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Subarctic Dart Moth | Small-eyed Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agrotis gelida | Paonias myops |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 32-40 mm wingspan | 45-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Alaska, northern Canada, subarctic Siberia | Eastern North America |
| 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.
Small-eyed Sphinx Moth
A pinkish-brown sphinx moth whose hindwings bear a small blue eyespot ringed in black and yellow. It relies on camouflage at rest but flashes the eyespot when threatened.
Did You Know?
The species name 'myops' means 'short-sighted,' a reference to its notably small hindwing eyespot.