Brazilian Headlight Firefly vs Banded Fruit Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Headlight Firefly Banded Fruit Weevil
Scientific Name Pyrearinus termitilluminans Phlyctinus callosus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Curculionidae
Size 15-20 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Predators Fruit Feeders
Regions South America South Africa (Western Cape)
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Brazilian Headlight Firefly

A unique click beetle relative whose bioluminescent larvae inhabit termite mounds in the Brazilian cerrado. The glowing mounds are a famous natural spectacle.

💡

Did You Know?

Termite mounds dotted with hundreds of glowing larvae resemble miniature cities at night and are a famous sight in Emas National Park.

Banded Fruit Weevil

A small greyish-brown weevil with pale transverse bands on the elytra. It is a significant pest of fruit crops and grapevines in the Cape.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults are nocturnal feeders that hide in soil cracks during the day, making them difficult to control.