Australian Glow-Worm Firefly vs Zodiac Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Glow-Worm Firefly Zodiac Moth
Scientific Name Atyphella lychnus Alcides metaurus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lampyridae Uraniidae
Size 8-15 mm 8-10 cm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Oceania Australia, Papua New Guinea
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.

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Did You Know?

Australia has surprisingly few firefly species compared to Southeast Asia, with most confined to the wet tropics of Queensland.

Zodiac Moth

A spectacular day-flying moth with iridescent green and black wings resembling a swallowtail butterfly. It migrates in large numbers through north Queensland rainforests.

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Did You Know?

Its brilliant green wing color is produced by microscopic light-refracting structures, not pigment.