African Firefly vs Margined Brown Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Firefly Margined Brown Lacewing
Scientific Name Luciola africana Hemerobius marginatus
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Lampyridae Hemerobiidae
Size 7-10 mm 8-12 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Firefly

A Sub-Saharan African firefly with a dark brown body and pale pronotal margins. It is one of the few well-documented firefly species on the African continent, producing greenish-yellow flashes at dusk.

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Did You Know?

Despite Africa's vast tropical habitats, the continent's firefly fauna is poorly studied compared to Asia and the Americas.

Margined Brown Lacewing

A European brown lacewing with darkened wing margins found in deciduous woodland. Common but often overlooked due to its small size.

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Did You Know?

It is often found in old orchards where it helps suppress aphid populations on fruit trees.