Pennsylvania Firefly vs Black Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pennsylvania Firefly Black Darter
Scientific Name Photuris pennsylvanica Sympetrum danae
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Lampyridae Libellulidae
Size 10-15 mm 29-34mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Eastern North America from Canada to Georgia Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pennsylvania Firefly

A common firefly of the eastern United States that produces a green-yellow bioluminescent flash. Adults are soft-bodied with a dark pronotum edged in pink.

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Did You Know?

Females mimic the flash patterns of other firefly species to lure males as prey, earning them the name femme fatale fireflies.

Black Darter

Britain s smallest dragonfly where mature males become entirely jet black, unique among European dragonflies. Females and immatures are yellow with black markings. It prefers acidic boggy habitats.

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Did You Know?

Males are the only entirely black dragonfly in Europe, making them unmistakable at acidic bog pools.