Tundra Ichneumon Wasp vs Painted Lady
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Ichneumon Wasp | Painted Lady |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ichneumon gracilicornis | Vanessa cardui |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 54-73 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada | Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
A medium-sized ichneumon wasp with a black body and conspicuous yellow-banded abdomen. It has a long, slender ovipositor for parasitizing moth pupae. Adults are active during the Arctic summer's long daylight hours.
Did You Know?
Ichneumon wasps in the Arctic play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of defoliating moths in birch forests.
Painted Lady
The most widely distributed butterfly in the world, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America. Known for long-distance migrations across continents.
Did You Know?
Painted lady butterflies make the longest known insect migration — up to 15,000 km round-trip between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa across generations.