Spring Firefly vs California Timema

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spring Firefly California Timema
Scientific Name Photinus ardens Timema californicum
Order Coleoptera Phasmatodea
Family Lampyridae Timematidae
Size 5-8 mm 1.5-2.5 cm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions North America United States (California)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spring Firefly

A small early-season firefly of the eastern United States with a distinctive fast double-pulse flash pattern. It has a dark body with a pinkish-red pronotum and is among the first fireflies to appear each year.

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Did You Know?

This species often begins flashing earlier in the evening than most other North American fireflies.

California Timema

A small green walking stick endemic to California. It is one of the most widespread Timema species on the Pacific coast.

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Did You Know?

The entire genus Timema is restricted to western North America and represents the most ancient lineage of living stick insects.