Big-headed Tiger Beetle vs Green Lacewing Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Big-headed Tiger Beetle | Green Lacewing Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacephala virginica | Photinus scintillans |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Big-headed Tiger Beetle
A nocturnal tiger beetle with a disproportionately large head and long curved mandibles. It is dark brown to black and hunts on sandy riverbanks after dark.
Did You Know?
Unlike most tiger beetles that hunt by day, this species is strictly nocturnal and is attracted to artificial lights near sandy habitats.
Green Lacewing Firefly
A small firefly with a bright green flash and a dark body with yellowish pronotal borders. Males produce a brief twinkling flash while flying low over grasslands and meadows.
Did You Know?
The word scintillans means sparkling, referring to the brief twinkling quality of this species' distinctive flash.