Borneo Pulsing Firefly vs Triplaris Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Borneo Pulsing Firefly Triplaris Ant
Scientific Name Pteroptyx tener Pseudomyrmex triplarinus
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Lampyridae Formicidae
Size 6-9 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Wetlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Southeast Asia South America, Amazon Basin
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Borneo Pulsing Firefly

A synchronous firefly of Southeast Asian mangroves that produces green flashes in unison with thousands of others. Massive congregations light up riverine trees each night.

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Did You Know?

Entire mangrove trees appear to pulse with light as thousands of males flash in perfect synchrony.

Triplaris Ant

A South American ant that inhabits the hollow stems of Triplaris trees in a mutualistic relationship. Workers swarm out and deliver painful stings when the host tree is disturbed.

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Did You Know?

Local people call Triplaris the 'devil tree' because touching it triggers an immediate attack by hundreds of stinging ants.