South African Glowworm vs African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South African Glowworm African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Lamprigera boyei Dorylomimus kohli
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Staphylinidae
Size 15-40 mm (female), 10-15 mm (male) 4-6 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Africa, Southern Africa Central Africa, West Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

South African Glowworm

A large firefly from southern Africa with larviform females that produce a steady bright greenish glow. Males are winged but rarely seen, while the large glowing females are conspicuous at night.

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Did You Know?

The females of this genus are among the largest fireflies in the world and can exceed 40 mm in length.

African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

A rove beetle that lives with army ant colonies in tropical Africa, mimicking the ants in body shape. It travels with the nomadic ant colony during emigrations.

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Did You Know?

Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ants that it was initially described as an ant rather than a beetle.