Twin-spotted Firefly vs Army Ant Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twin-spotted Firefly | Army Ant Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Photinus tanytoxus | Ecitomorpha arachnoides |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Twin-spotted Firefly
A small North American firefly with a bright greenish-yellow flash and distinctive twin light organs visible on the last abdominal segments. Males produce a slow, pulsing glow while in flight.
Did You Know?
This species produces lucibufagins, toxic steroids that make it unpalatable to predators like spiders and birds.
Army Ant Rove Beetle
An extraordinary myrmecophilous rove beetle whose body remarkably mimics the shape of its host army ants. It lives exclusively among New World army ant colonies, marching with them on raids.
Did You Know?
Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ant that early entomologists initially classified it as an ant rather than a beetle.