Brazilian Railroad Worm vs Oriental Demoiselle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Railroad Worm Oriental Demoiselle
Scientific Name Phrixothrix viviani Calopteryx cornelia
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Phengodidae Calopterygidae
Size 20-40 mm (female), 10-14 mm (male) 50-58 mm
Habitat Grasslands Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions South America, Brazil Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brazilian Railroad Worm

A tropical glowworm beetle with the remarkable ability to produce both green lateral lights and a red cephalic light. The female is large and larviform, while the male is a small, short-lived winged beetle.

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Did You Know?

The red and green lights are produced by different luciferases, making this beetle a subject of intensive biochemical research.

Oriental Demoiselle

A Japanese demoiselle with shimmering blue-black wings and a metallic green body. It is endemic to Japan's clean mountain streams.

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Did You Know?

It is endemic to Japan and is considered an indicator species for clean mountain water quality.