Brazilian Headlight Firefly vs Common Furniture Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Headlight Firefly Common Furniture Beetle
Scientific Name Pyrearinus termitilluminans Anobium punctatum
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Ptinidae
Size 15-20 mm 2.7–4.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions South America Europe, North America, Australia
Conservation Data Deficient Not Evaluated

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.

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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.

Common Furniture Beetle

The most common cause of woodworm damage in buildings across Europe. Larvae bore through softwood and hardwood for three to five years before emerging.

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Did You Know?

The characteristic round exit holes in old furniture are produced by the adults chewing their way out after pupation.