Chinese Aquatic Firefly vs Hawaiian Happy-face Spider

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Aquatic Firefly Hawaiian Happy-face Spider
Scientific Name Aquatica ficta Theridion grallator
Order Coleoptera Araneae
Family Lampyridae Theridiidae
Size 8-12 mm 5 mm body length
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions China Hawaii
Conservation Vulnerable Endangered

Chinese Aquatic Firefly

A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus Aquatica, erected specifically for water-dwelling lampyrids.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.

Hawaiian Happy-face Spider

A tiny Hawaiian spider with markings on its abdomen that resemble a smiling face. It is endemic to the rainforests of four Hawaiian islands.

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Did You Know?

The smiley-face pattern is thought to confuse predators by disrupting recognition of the spider shape.