Giant Dobsonfly vs Australian Glow-Worm Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Dobsonfly Australian Glow-Worm Firefly
Scientific Name Acanthacorydalis fruhstorferi Atyphella lychnus
Order Megaloptera Coleoptera
Family Corydalidae Lampyridae
Size 60-90 mm body, 210 mm wingspan 8-15 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Asia Oceania
Conservation Data Deficient Data Deficient

Giant Dobsonfly

The largest aquatic insect in the world by wingspan, found in streams in Vietnam and China. Males have enormous mandibles resembling reindeer antlers.

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Did You Know?

With a wingspan of 21 cm, this is the worlds largest aquatic insect — its bizarre mandibles resemble reindeer antlers and are used exclusively for grappling rival males.

Australian Glow-Worm Firefly

One of Australia's few true firefly species, found in tropical Queensland rainforests. Females are wingless and glow from the forest floor.

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Did You Know?

Australia has surprisingly few firefly species compared to Southeast Asia, with most confined to the wet tropics of Queensland.