Round-bodied Scydmaenine vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Round-bodied Scydmaenine | Chinese Aquatic Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scydmaenus tarsatus | Aquatica ficta |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Round-bodied Scydmaenine
A minute, convex rove beetle of the subfamily Scydmaeninae with a distinctively constricted waist between thorax and abdomen. It is a specialized predator of armored mites in forest soil.
Did You Know?
This tiny beetle has evolved specialized mandibles that can crack open the heavily armored shells of oribatid mites, prey that most other predators cannot exploit.
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.
Did You Know?
Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.