Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge vs Big Dipper Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge Big Dipper Firefly
Scientific Name Glossosoma nigrior Photinus consimilis
Order Trichoptera Coleoptera
Family Glossosomatidae Lampyridae
Size 5-8 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

A small, abundant caddisfly of eastern North American streams. Larvae build tortoise-shell-shaped cases of fine gravel and are important grazers.

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Did You Know?

Grazing by dense populations can visibly reduce algal cover on stream rocks.

Big Dipper Firefly

A common North American firefly that produces a slow, arching flash resembling the Big Dipper constellation pattern. It is active in early summer evenings.

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Did You Know?

Each species of Photinus has evolved its own unique flash pattern to avoid mating with the wrong species.