Fire Beetle vs Peppered Moth of New Zealand
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fire Beetle | Peppered Moth of New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pyrophorus divergens | Cleora scriptaria |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Elateridae | Geometridae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fire Beetle
A bioluminescent click beetle from Central American forests. Its glowing thoracic spots are visible from several meters away in total darkness.
Did You Know?
Spanish conquistadors reported seeing forests glowing with thousands of these beetles and initially thought they were supernatural phenomena.
Peppered Moth of New Zealand
An endemic New Zealand geometrid moth known as the kawakawa looper, whose caterpillars feed on kawakawa and other native plants. The caterpillars are expert twig mimics, holding themselves rigid at an angle from the branch. Adults have speckled grey wings.
Did You Know?
The kawakawa looper caterpillar is such an effective twig mimic that it can be almost impossible to detect on a branch, even when you know it is there.