Subarctic Dart Moth vs White Morpho

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Subarctic Dart Moth White Morpho
Scientific Name Agrotis gelida Morpho polyphemus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Nymphalidae
Size 32-40 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions Alaska, northern Canada, subarctic Siberia Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela
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.

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Did You Know?

The larvae spend the harsh Arctic winter frozen in the soil, resuming feeding for only a few weeks each summer.

White Morpho

A large pearly white morpho butterfly with subtle iridescent sheen on its broad wings. It has a slower, more gliding flight than its blue relatives.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the vivid blue morphos, this species uses its pale coloring to blend with dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy.