Neotropical Firefly vs Peppered Moth of New Zealand
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Firefly | Peppered Moth of New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aspisoma lineatum | Cleora scriptaria |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Geometridae |
| Size | 10-18 mm | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Neotropical Firefly
A soft-bodied beetle producing a continuous greenish glow from its abdominal lantern organs. It is common in South American forests and agricultural areas.
Did You Know?
Unlike many fireflies that flash in patterns, this species emits a steady continuous glow resembling a floating ember.
Peppered Moth of New Zealand
An endemic New Zealand geometrid moth known as the kawakawa looper, whose caterpillars feed on kawakawa and other native plants. The caterpillars are expert twig mimics, holding themselves rigid at an angle from the branch. Adults have speckled grey wings.
Did You Know?
The kawakawa looper caterpillar is such an effective twig mimic that it can be almost impossible to detect on a branch, even when you know it is there.