Blue Mountains Firefly vs Moss Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Mountains Firefly | Moss Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atyphella flammulans | Peloridium hammoniorum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Peloridiidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania, Australia | South America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Blue Mountains Firefly
An Australian firefly found in cool temperate rainforests, producing a steady greenish glow. It has a dark body and is most active on warm, humid nights after rain.
Did You Know?
Firefly-watching tours in the Blue Mountains and Springbrook National Park have introduced Australians to their native luminous beetles.
Moss Bug
A tiny, flattened, living fossil found only in moist moss and liverwort beds in the Southern Hemisphere. The family dates back to the Jurassic period and retains many primitive features.
Did You Know?
Moss bugs belong to one of the most ancient surviving families of true bugs, essentially unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs over 150 million years ago.