Brazilian Headlight Firefly vs Douglas-fir Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Headlight Firefly Douglas-fir Beetle
Scientific Name Pyrearinus termitilluminans Dendroctonus pseudotsugae
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Curculionidae
Size 15-20 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Predators Wood Feeders
Regions South America Western North America from British Columbia to Mexico
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.

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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.

Douglas-fir Beetle

A dark reddish-brown bark beetle that attacks Douglas-fir trees, particularly those weakened by drought or windthrow. It is among the most damaging bark beetles in the Pacific Northwest.

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Did You Know?

It preferentially attacks fallen or stressed trees, but during outbreaks it can kill large numbers of healthy standing trees.