- Common name: Arctic woolly bear moth
- Scientific name: Gynaephora groenlandica
- Classification:
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Erebidae
- Genus: Gynaephora
- Species groenlandica
- The Arctic woolly bear moth, Gynaephora groenlandica, was likely first collected in 1832 on Somerset Island during John Ross’s expedition. Initially misidentified as Gynaephora rossii due to a mix-up with another species’ larvae, it wasn’t formally described until 1874, following the collection of specimens in Greenland in 1870.
- This moth is renowned for its incredibly long lifecycle, which can last up to 7 years. The short growing seasons in the Arctic mean that the larvae primarily feed and grow during this time, while spending most of the year in a dormant state to survive extreme cold.
- The larvae feed on Arctic vegetation, such as dwarf willow and other low-lying plants, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem as herbivores and as a food source for predators, including birds. They are well-adapted to freezing temperatures, producing antifreeze proteins that prevent ice formation in their tissues, allowing survival at temperatures as low as -70°C.
- Researchers study this species to understand how organisms cope with prolonged environmental stress and extreme cold. Its ability to enter a state of dormancy, known as cryptobiosis, has made it a key subject in studies on climate adaptation and survival mechanisms.
Was this post helpful?
Let us know if you liked the post. That’s the only way we can improve.
