Tundra Ichneumon Wasp vs Polar Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Ichneumon Wasp | Polar Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ichneumon gracilicornis | Boloria polaris |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada | Canadian Arctic, northern Alaska, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Siberia |
| 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.
Polar Fritillary
A small butterfly with warm orange upperwings marked with dark spots and zigzag lines. The underside has a distinctive pattern of white and reddish-brown patches. It is restricted to true Arctic tundra habitats.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most northerly butterflies in the world, found within a few hundred kilometers of the North Pole on Ellesmere Island.