Western Firefly vs Rugose Christmas Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Firefly Rugose Christmas Beetle
Scientific Name Microphotus angustus Anoplognathus rugosus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lampyridae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-12 mm 18-24 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions North America Australia
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.

Rugose Christmas Beetle

A robust dark brown scarab with distinctly wrinkled elytra found in southeastern Australia. Adults are attracted to lights during warm summer evenings.

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Did You Know?

Their numbers have declined significantly in Sydney since the 1990s due to habitat loss.