Japanese Genji Firefly vs Ox Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Genji Firefly Ox Beetle
Scientific Name Luciola cruciata Strategus aloeus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Scarabaeidae
Size 12-18 mm 30-60mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions Japan North America, South 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.

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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.

Ox Beetle

A large robust dark brown beetle with three forward-pointing horns on the males pronotum. It is attracted to lights in tropical areas.

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Did You Know?

Males use their three horns like a trident to pry rivals from burrows during fights over females.