Red Turpentine Beetle vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Turpentine Beetle Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Scientific Name Dendroctonus valens Aquatica ficta
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Lampyridae
Size 6-9 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Sap Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America, Asia China
Conservation Not Evaluated Vulnerable

Red Turpentine Beetle

The largest North American Dendroctonus species, it attacks the base of pine trees. It became highly invasive in China after accidental introduction.

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Did You Know?

In China, it has killed over 10 million Pinus tabuliformis trees since its arrival in the 1980s.

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.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.