Western Banded Glowworm vs Helicopter Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Banded Glowworm Helicopter Damselfly
Scientific Name Zarhipis integripennis Megaloprepus caerulatus
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Phengodidae Pseudostigmatidae
Size 15-30 mm (female), 8-12 mm (male) 100 mm body, 190 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America, Western United States Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Western Banded Glowworm

A North American glowworm beetle where the larviform female produces rows of greenish-yellow bioluminescent spots along her body segments. Males are winged with elaborate feathery antennae.

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Did You Know?

The glowing female looks like a miniature train at night, with paired lateral light organs resembling lit windows on a railcar.

Helicopter Damselfly

The largest damselfly in the world with a wingspan approaching 19 centimeters.

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Did You Know?

It breeds exclusively in water-filled tree holes high in the forest canopy.