Bethany Beach Firefly vs Ancient Greenling
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bethany Beach Firefly | Ancient Greenling |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Photuris bethaniensis | Hemiphlebia mirabilis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Lampyridae | Hemiphlebiidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 20-25 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern United States | Oceania |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Endangered |
Bethany Beach Firefly
A predatory firefly known from a narrow range along the mid-Atlantic coast. Females mimic the flash patterns of other firefly species to lure and eat the males.
Did You Know?
By consuming other fireflies, females acquire defensive chemicals called lucibufagins that protect them from predators.
Ancient Greenling
The sole surviving member of one of the most ancient damselfly families on Earth.
Did You Know?
It is considered a living fossil and the most phylogenetically isolated odonate alive.