Tundra Mosquito vs Dingy Arctic Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Mosquito | Dingy Arctic Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes impiger | Boloria improba |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 26-32 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Alaska | Arctic Scandinavia, Svalbard, Arctic Russia, Alaska, Canadian Arctic |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Tundra Mosquito
A small but abundant Arctic mosquito with dark body and pale leg bands. It is one of the most northerly distributed mosquito species in the world. Larvae inhabit shallow tundra ponds warmed by continuous summer sunlight.
Did You Know?
This mosquito has been found breeding at latitudes above 80 degrees north, among the most northerly insects on Earth.
Dingy Arctic Fritillary
One of the smallest Arctic fritillaries with dull orange-brown wings and dark markings. The underside is mottled brown and gray with a mossy, cryptic appearance. It has a weak, fluttering flight close to the ground.
Did You Know?
This butterfly is so rare and localized that some populations consist of fewer than 100 individuals on isolated mountain summits.