Japanese Genji Firefly vs Beautiful Snout

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Genji Firefly Beautiful Snout
Scientific Name Luciola cruciata Hypena crassalis
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lampyridae Erebidae
Size 12-18 mm 30-36 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Japan Europe
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Japanese Genji Firefly

An aquatic-larval firefly revered in Japanese culture, found near clean streams. It is one of the few fireflies whose larvae develop entirely in freshwater.

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Did You Know?

Annual firefly-viewing festivals called hotarugari have been held in Japan for over a thousand years in honor of this species.

Beautiful Snout

A moth with long palps forming a snout-like projection and warm purple-brown wings crossed by pale lines. It is associated exclusively with bilberry on acidic heathlands.

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Did You Know?

Its elongated mouthparts give it the appearance of having a beak, unique among British moths.