Western Firefly vs Rainbow Stag Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Firefly Rainbow Stag Beetle
Scientific Name Microphotus angustus Phalacrognathus muelleri
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Lucanidae
Size 8-12 mm 25-70 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Omnivores Wood Feeders
Regions North America Oceania
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.

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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 Stag Beetle

Australias most spectacularly colored beetle, with iridescent green, red, gold, and purple metallic coloring. Males have large curved mandibles with internal teeth.

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Did You Know?

This is widely considered the most beautiful stag beetle in the world — its rainbow metallic sheen shifts through green, gold, red, and purple depending on the angle of light.