Iris Flea Beetle vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Iris Flea Beetle Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Scientific Name Aphthona nonstriata Aquatica ficta
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Lampyridae
Size 2-3 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Wetlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe China
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Iris Flea Beetle

A small blue-green flea beetle associated with yellow iris in wetland habitats. Larvae feed on iris roots underwater. A specialized member of the wetland beetle community.

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Did You Know?

Larvae can survive submerged among iris roots, extracting oxygen from the waterlogged plant tissue.

Chinese Aquatic Firefly

A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus Aquatica, erected specifically for water-dwelling lampyrids.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.