Giant Petaltail Dragonfly vs Eyed Elater Glowworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Petaltail Dragonfly | Eyed Elater Glowworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Petalura ingentissima | Phengodes fusciceps |
| Order | Odonata | Coleoptera |
| Family | Petaluridae | Phengodidae |
| Size | 85 mm body, 125 mm wingspan | 15-25 mm (females) |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Eastern United States |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Giant Petaltail Dragonfly
Australias largest dragonfly and one of the most primitive living species, belonging to a family dating back to the Jurassic period. Larvae live in swamp burrows for years.
Did You Know?
This dragonfly is a living fossil — its family dates back 150 million years to the Jurassic, and larvae dig burrows in swamps where they may live for over a decade.
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.