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The Wild Pest
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Bioluminescent bugs

Every species in the Wild Files corpus where bioluminescent is a defining trait.

8 on file

On File
A deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) on stony ground, pale-yellow body with slender tail.
Apex Outlaw
Six Legs87
Alias
Leiurus quinquestriatus

Deathstalker Scorpion

Deadliest scorpion on Earth. Venom: $39M per gallon. Used to light up brain tumors.

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On File
An emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), large jet-black body with massive pincers and curled tail.
Curious
Six Legs71
Alias
Pandinus imperator

Emperor Scorpion

Largest scorpion on Earth. Looks terrifying. Sting is roughly a bee's. Carries her babies.

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On File
A common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis) glowing on a leaf in evening light.
Curious
Six Legs74
Alias
Photinus pyralis

Common Eastern Firefly

Glows on demand using a chemical reaction efficient enough to embarrass a lightbulb.

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On File
Glow-worms (Arachnocampa luminosa) illuminating the ceiling of a Waitomo cave with blue-green light.
Curious
Six Legs78
Alias
Arachnocampa luminosa

New Zealand Glow-Worm

Not a worm. Hangs glowing fishing-lines from cave ceilings. Catches insects on glue.

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On File
A Big Dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis), small brown beetle with yellow elytra margins and yellow-orange pronotum, six legs, side profile.
Beneficial
Six Legs77
Alias
Photinus pyralis

Big Dipper Firefly

The classic NA backyard firefly. Males perform J-SHAPED upward flash displays at dusk.

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On File
A dark-winged fungus gnat (Bradysia coprophila), small dark gray-black fly with Y-shaped wing venation and long thin legs, magnified scientific specimen.
Outlaw
Six Legs72
Alias
Bradysia coprophila

Dark-Winged Fungus Gnat

The houseplant pest. NZ cousin glows in caves to attract prey. Major greenhouse vector.

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On File
A Cuban headlight click beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus), elongated brown beetle with two bright glowing green-yellow spots on the prothorax, six legs, side profile.
Curious
Six Legs84
Alias
Pyrophorus noctilucus

Headlight Click Beetle (Cucujo)

Brightest bioluminescent terrestrial insect. Cuban miners used live beetles as flashlights.

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On File
An Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus), small pale tan scorpion with slender pincers and thin curved tail.
Outlaw
Six Legs88
Alias
Centruroides sculpturatus

Arizona Bark Scorpion

Only deadly US scorpion. Glows blue-green under UV light. Lurks under bark and inside shoes.

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