Tanbark Borer vs Giant Robber Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tanbark Borer | Giant Robber Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatodes testaceus | Photuris lucicrescens |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 8-17 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Meadows |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, introduced to North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Tanbark Borer
A small, highly variable cerambycid ranging from pale yellow to dark brown or violet. It breeds under the bark of recently dead oaks across Europe and North America. Adults are nocturnal and come freely to lights.
Did You Know?
Color variation in this species is so extreme that over a dozen color forms have been named, all belonging to one species.
Giant Robber Firefly
A large predatory firefly from eastern North America that mimics the flash patterns of Photinus species. Females lure Photinus males to consume them.
Did You Know?
Females can switch between multiple flash patterns, mimicking different prey species on a single evening.