Short-Winged Blister Beetle vs Japanese Genji Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Short-Winged Blister Beetle | Japanese Genji Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Meloe violaceus | Luciola cruciata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Meloidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 15-32 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Japan |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
Short-Winged Blister Beetle
A blue-violet oil beetle found across Europe, often seen walking on paths and open ground in spring. Like other oil beetles, it oozes cantharidin-laced fluid from its joints when threatened.
Did You Know?
A single female can lay over 4,000 eggs in a season, but fewer than one percent of larvae survive to adulthood.
Japanese Genji Firefly
An aquatic-larval firefly revered in Japanese culture, found near clean streams. It is one of the few fireflies whose larvae develop entirely in freshwater.
Did You Know?
Annual firefly-viewing festivals called hotarugari have been held in Japan for over a thousand years in honor of this species.