Swamp Cicada vs Miyako Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swamp Cicada Miyako Firefly
Scientific Name Neotibicen tibicen Luciola filiformis
Order Hemiptera Coleoptera
Family Cicadidae Lampyridae
Size 30-38 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Wetlands Wetlands
Diet Sap Feeders Omnivores
Regions Eastern and central United States East Asia, Japan, Ryukyu Islands
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Swamp Cicada

A large dark cicada with green markings and a loud droning call heard in late summer. It is often called the morning cicada because it frequently calls during morning hours.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most cicadas that call in afternoon heat, it often sings during cooler morning and evening hours.

Miyako Firefly

A small Japanese firefly found on Miyako Island with a slender body and greenish-yellow luminescence. It has a limited distribution and is considered a unique island endemic.

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Did You Know?

This island endemic species has become a symbol of conservation efforts on the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan.