Chinese Firefly vs Saddleback Caterpillar Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Firefly Saddleback Caterpillar Moth
Scientific Name Pyrocoelia rufa Acharia stimulea
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lampyridae Limacodidae
Size 12-18 mm 26-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Orchards
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions China, Japan, Korea Eastern North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Chinese Firefly

A large Asian firefly with a bright orange-red thorax and powerful bioluminescent glow. It is commonly seen near streams and rice paddies on warm evenings.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are aquatic and hunt freshwater snails underwater, breathing through special abdominal gills.

Saddleback Caterpillar Moth

A dark brown moth best known for its extraordinary caterpillar, which is bright green with a brown saddle-shaped marking and venomous spines. The sting causes intense burning pain.

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Did You Know?

Its sting is among the most painful of any North American caterpillar and can cause nausea in sensitive individuals.