Gynaephora groenlandica

Gynaephora groenlandica, the arctic woolly bear moth, is an erebid moth endemic to the high Arctic, specifically the Canadian archipelago and Greenland. It is best known for its slow rate of development, as its full caterpillar life cycle may extend up to 15 years, and 4 years may elapse between molts. This species remains in a larval state for the vast majority of its life. Unique among Lepidoptera, it undergoes an annual period of diapause that lasts for much of the calendar year, as G. groenlandica is subject to some of the longest, most extreme winters on Earth. In this dormant state, it can withstand temperatures as low as −70 °C. This species has an alpine subspecies which is notable for its geographic distribution south of the High Arctic. Females generally do not fly, while males are much more active in this capacity. The arctic woolly bear moth also exhibits the behavior of basking, which aids in temperature regulation and digestion and affects both metabolism and oxygen consumption. G. groenlandica may also represent a useful indicator species for the effects of global warming in the High Arctic due to temperature-based feeding tendencies. In general, G. groenlandica larvae are large (~300 mg) and coated in soft hair. While they have a distinctive tan-brown cast, their color may vary. They are characterized by a distinct hair tuft, which has been referred to as a 'rudimentary hair pencil', on their eighth abdominal segment . Later larval instars are notable for the color pattern of this dorsal hair tuft. They can also be identified by the form of their hairs, which are spineless, in contrast to the finer, feather-like hairs of their close relative, G. rossii. They may also be distinguished from G. rossii in terms of wing pattern: G. groenlandica lack the broad, dark band along the edge of their hind wings that is characteristic of G. rossii. In general, G. rossii also have more wing patterning than G. groenlandica. The arctic woolly bear moth is endemic to the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Greenland, or above approximately 70°N latitude. It is therefore officially classified as a High Arctic endemic species It is known as one of the most northern members of the Lepidopteran order in the Northern hemisphere. Data published in December 2013 presented the first records of G. groenlandica south of the Arctic Circle. Specifically, they were found in the alpine environment of the southwest Yukon, 900 kilometers south of their previously defined range. These populations were subsequently categorized as the subspecies G.g. beringiana. This species is also noteworthy for its presence on Ellesmere Island. This was highlighted in BBC's sequel to Planet Earth, called Frozen Planet, which was broadcast on BBC One in autumn 2011 (with the US broadcast following on Discovery Channel in spring 2012). G. groenlandica is well-adapted to living in conditions of extreme cold in the High Arctic. At two distinct field sites on Ellesmere Island, it was discovered that G. groenlandica, when in a diapausal state, tend to exist in specific micro-habitats rather than in a random geographic distribution. Hibernacula are frequently found secured to the base of rocks, as opposed to being attached to vegetation. At one investigation site, hibernacula were observed primarily on the lee-ward side of rocks (that is to say, on the side sheltered from the wind), suggesting that wind direction plays a role in the selection of hibernation sites. In captivity, G. groenlandica have also been observed anchoring themselves to leaf litter of Salix arctica during this diapausal period.