African Melon Leaf Beetle vs Winter Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Melon Leaf Beetle Winter Firefly
Scientific Name Aulacophora africana Ellychnia corrusca
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Lampyridae
Size 6-8 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Predators
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Melon Leaf Beetle

A bright orange to yellowish-red beetle with a smooth, shiny surface that is a significant pest of cucurbit crops across sub-Saharan Africa. Both adults and larvae cause feeding damage.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults are attracted to cucurbitacins and can completely defoliate young cucumber and melon plants within days of crop emergence.

Winter Firefly

A day-active firefly that does not produce light as an adult. It is commonly found on tree trunks during late winter and early spring in eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Despite being a firefly, adults completely lack the ability to produce bioluminescence.