Japanese Hotaruko Firefly vs Mother Shipton

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Hotaruko Firefly Mother Shipton
Scientific Name Pyrocoelia fumosa Euclidia mi
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lampyridae Erebidae
Size 12-20 mm 30-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Asia, Japan Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Hotaruko Firefly

A large terrestrial firefly with a dark brown body and bright reddish pronotum. The wingless, larviform females produce a bright sustained glow from the ground to attract flying males.

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Did You Know?

The Japanese name 'hotaruko' distinguishes these terrestrial glowworm-type fireflies from the aquatic 'hotaru' species.

Mother Shipton

A day-flying moth whose forewing markings resemble the profile of a witch's face. It is named after the famous English prophetess Mother Shipton.

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Did You Know?

The wing pattern clearly shows a hooked nose, chin, and eye in profile, resembling a caricature of a crone.