Tepui Firefly vs Beaded Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tepui Firefly Beaded Lacewing
Scientific Name Photinus tepui Lomamyia latipennis
Order Coleoptera Neuroptera
Family Lampyridae Berothidae
Size 10-15 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions South America (Venezuela - tepui region, Guyana) North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Tepui Firefly

A bioluminescent beetle endemic to the isolated tepui tabletop mountains of Venezuela. It produces a distinctive greenish-yellow flash pattern used in mate attraction. The larvae are also luminous and prey on snails and other small invertebrates on the tepui summit.

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Did You Know?

It lives only on the ancient tabletop mountains of Venezuela, which have been isolated for millions of years, making it a living relic of evolutionary history.

Beaded Lacewing

A small lacewing whose larvae live inside termite nests and prey on the termite workers. Adults have distinctive beaded wing venation.

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Did You Know?

Beaded lacewing larvae immobilize termites by releasing a toxic gas from their abdomen before consuming them.