Green Lacewing Firefly vs Southern Flannel Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Green Lacewing Firefly | Southern Flannel Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Photinus scintillans | Megalopyge opercularis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Megalopygidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 25-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Southeastern United States, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Green Lacewing Firefly
A small firefly with a bright green flash and a dark body with yellowish pronotal borders. Males produce a brief twinkling flash while flying low over grasslands and meadows.
Did You Know?
The word scintillans means sparkling, referring to the brief twinkling quality of this species' distinctive flash.
Southern Flannel Moth
A fluffy moth covered in cream to orange-brown fur-like scales. Its larva, called the puss caterpillar, is covered in soft-looking hair that conceals venomous spines.
Did You Know?
The puss caterpillar is considered the most venomous caterpillar in North America, with stings requiring medical attention.