Short-winged Firefly vs Meadow Quedius

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Short-winged Firefly Meadow Quedius
Scientific Name Lucidota atra Quedius curtipennis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Staphylinidae
Size 8-13 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Short-winged Firefly

A dark-bodied, day-active firefly that has lost the ability to produce light as an adult. It has a black body with a reddish-orange pronotum and is often found on tree trunks and vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Despite being a firefly, this diurnal species relies on chemical pheromones rather than light signals to find mates.

Meadow Quedius

A common rove beetle of grasslands and meadows with shortened wing cases exposing the flexible abdomen. Found in grass tussocks and at the base of vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Despite having short wing cases, it can still fly by unfolding long membranous hindwings stored beneath them.