Narrow-headed Ant vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-headed Ant | Chinese Aquatic Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Formica exsecta | Aquatica ficta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | China |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
Narrow-headed Ant
A bicolored red and black wood ant with a distinctly notched head. It builds low thatched mounds in open heathland and is declining across much of its European range.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is one of the rarest ant species and is legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Chinese Aquatic Firefly
A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus Aquatica, erected specifically for water-dwelling lampyrids.
Did You Know?
Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.