We use analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcodes in combination with published data on morphology to rearrange the taxonomy of two arctic species, Gynaephora groenlandica and G. rossii. We demonstrate that (1) the taxon lugens Kozhanchikov, 1948 originally described as a distinct species is a subspecies of Gynaephora rossii, and (2) the taxon kusnezovi Lukhtanov et Khruliova, 1989 originally described as a distinct species in the genus Dicallomera is a subspecies of Gynaephora groenlandica. We also provide the first evidence for the occurrence of G. groenlandica in the Palearctic region (Wrangel Island).