Western Firefly vs Rainbow Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Firefly | Rainbow Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microphotus angustus | Dactylotum variegatum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Lampyridae | Acrididae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 20-30mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Western Firefly
A rare western North American firefly with larviform females that glow. Males are winged but produce no light.
Did You Know?
It is one of very few firefly species found west of the Rocky Mountains, where most people believe fireflies do not exist.
Rainbow Grasshopper
A small short-winged grasshopper brightly patterned in red, orange, blue, and black. Despite its vivid warning colors, it is not actually toxic. It is slow-moving and easy to observe.
Did You Know?
Its striking rainbow coloring is a bluff; it has no toxins but mimics the appearance of genuinely poisonous insects.