Mediterranean Firefly vs Currant Stem Girdler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mediterranean Firefly | Currant Stem Girdler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Luciola italica | Janus integer |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Cephidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mediterranean Firefly
A common Southern European firefly that flies through warm summer nights producing a continuous greenish glow. It is widespread in Italy and the Mediterranean basin.
Did You Know?
Italian poets and painters have depicted this firefly for centuries, and it remains a beloved symbol of warm summer nights in the Mediterranean.
Currant Stem Girdler
A slender black stem sawfly that attacks currant and gooseberry bushes. Females girdle the stem tips with their ovipositor, causing them to wilt.
Did You Know?
The female girdles the stem above the egg insertion point, causing the tip to wilt and die, which provides the larva with softened stem tissue to feed on.