Eyed Elater Glowworm vs Termitophilous Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eyed Elater Glowworm | Termitophilous Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phengodes fusciceps | Corotoca melantho |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Phengodidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm (females) | 5-8 mm (body length without physogastric abdomen) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern United States | Brazil, tropical South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eyed Elater Glowworm
A railroad worm beetle whose larviform females emit light from paired organs along the body. Males are short-lived, winged, and do not glow.
Did You Know?
Females produce both green light from their body segments and red light from their head, resembling a tiny railroad train at night.
Termitophilous Rove Beetle
A bizarre, physogastric rove beetle that lives inside termite nests in Brazil. The female's abdomen becomes enormously swollen and translucent, resembling a termite queen in miniature.
Did You Know?
This is one of the only beetles known to give live birth (viviparity); fully formed larvae emerge from the female rather than eggs.