--

Characteristics

An insect belonging to the order Coleoptera, about 10mm in length. It looks similar to a long-horned beetle, but is closer to the family Firefly. Its whole body is light brown, with a black pattern around the center of its thorax and head. This pattern is the origin of its Japanese name. The upper wings of its abdomen have vertical stripes. The antennae have segments, and become thinner towards the tips.

Ecology

It can be found in grasslands and riverbeds from around May. It preys on smaller insects on the leaves.

Habitat

Tama River riverbed

While walking along the riverbed during the day in May, I found a firefly on a ramie leaf. It moved toward the tip of the leaf and stayed still there for a while.