Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Winter Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ragwort Flea Beetle Winter Firefly
Scientific Name Longitarsus jacobaeae Ellychnia corrusca
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Lampyridae
Size 2-3 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Root Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ragwort Flea Beetle

A small black flea beetle that feeds on ragwort plants. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive ragwort in Australia and New Zealand. Larvae mine in roots.

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Did You Know?

One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.

Winter Firefly

A day-active firefly that does not produce light as an adult. It is commonly found on tree trunks during late winter and early spring in eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Despite being a firefly, adults completely lack the ability to produce bioluminescence.