Thai Aquatic Firefly vs Ebony Jewelwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thai Aquatic Firefly Ebony Jewelwing
Scientific Name Luciola aquatilis Calopteryx maculata
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Lampyridae Calopterygidae
Size 5-8 mm 39-57 mm body
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Southeast Asia, Thailand North America
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Thai Aquatic Firefly

A small Thai firefly notable for having truly aquatic larvae with functional gills. It was one of the first fireflies confirmed to have larvae that live entirely underwater.

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Did You Know?

This species was described in 2010 and was notable for being the first firefly with confirmed fully aquatic larvae possessing tracheal gills.

Ebony Jewelwing

A stunning damselfly with entirely jet-black wings (males) or smoky wings with white spots (females). Males perform a courtship display by opening and closing their dark wings.

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Did You Know?

Male ebony jewelwings perform a butterfly-like courtship dance, slowly fluttering their dramatic black wings to catch sunlight and impress females perched on streamside vegetation.