Jamaican Click Beetle vs St Mark's Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Jamaican Click Beetle | St Mark's Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pyrophorus noctilucus | Bibio johannis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Elateridae | Bibionidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 6-10mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Jamaican Click Beetle
The brightest bioluminescent insect known. Indigenous peoples used them as temporary lanterns by placing several in a jar. Two light organs on the thorax glow intense green.
Did You Know?
This click beetle is so bright that indigenous Caribbean people used them as living lanterns — a few beetles in a perforated gourd could light a room or mark a path.
St Mark's Fly
A small black fly that swarms in May. Males have large heads with huge eyes that almost meet on top.
Did You Know?
Often confused with the larger Bibio marci but emerges slightly later and has entirely dark legs.