Australian Glow-Worm Firefly vs Lac Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Glow-Worm Firefly | Lac Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atyphella lychnus | Kerria lacca |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Kerriidae |
| Size | 8-15 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania | Asia |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Australian Glow-Worm Firefly
One of Australia's few true firefly species, found in tropical Queensland rainforests. Females are wingless and glow from the forest floor.
Did You Know?
Australia has surprisingly few firefly species compared to Southeast Asia, with most confined to the wet tropics of Queensland.
Lac Insect
Produces lac resin — the raw material for shellac, used in wood finishes, food glazing, and pharmaceutical coatings. One of the few insects commercially farmed for a secretion.
Did You Know?
It takes roughly 300,000 lac insects to produce 1 kg of shellac — the coating on your shiny chocolate candy or pharmaceutical pill likely came from these tiny bugs.