Say's Firefly vs Waterlily Leaf Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Say's Firefly Waterlily Leaf Beetle
Scientific Name Pyractomena angulata Galerucella nymphaeae
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Chrysomelidae
Size 8-14 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Wetlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Say's Firefly

An early-season firefly with amber-orange flashes seen in spring across eastern North America. It is among the first fireflies to appear each year.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are semi-aquatic and can survive temporary flooding of their habitats.

Waterlily Leaf Beetle

A small, brown leaf beetle that feeds on the upper surfaces of waterlily pads. It creates distinctive feeding grooves across floating leaves.

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Did You Know?

Although it feeds on aquatic plants, the beetle cannot swim and will drown if it falls off a lily pad into open water.