Neotropical Metallic Wood Borer vs European Glowworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Neotropical Metallic Wood Borer	European Glowworm
Scientific Name	Euchroma gigantea	Lampyris noctiluca
Order	Coleoptera	Coleoptera
Family	Buprestidae	Lampyridae
Size	40-80 mm	15-25 mm (females); 10-12 mm (males)
Habitat	Forests	Hedgerows
Diet	Wood Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname	Europe, Western Asia
Conservation	Not Evaluated	Vulnerable

Neotropical Metallic Wood Borer

The largest jewel beetle in the Americas with iridescent green, red, and purple elytra. It is commonly found on dead or dying tropical hardwoods.

💡

Indigenous peoples of the Amazon use its iridescent wing covers to make traditional jewelry and ceremonial ornaments.

A well-known European firefly where only the wingless female produces a steady green glow. Males are winged but produce no light.

💡

Females glow for up to two hours each night to attract flying males, then stop after mating.