Japanese Genji Firefly vs European Spruce Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Genji Firefly | European Spruce Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Luciola cruciata | Gilpinia hercyniae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Japan | Europe, introduced to North America |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Annual firefly-viewing festivals called hotarugari have been held in Japan for over a thousand years in honor of this species.
European Spruce Sawfly
A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.
Did You Know?
After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.