Fireflies
What are they?
This well-known group needs little introduction - summer evenings would not be the same without the traces of light dancing over grassy meadows. Despite being commonly known as fireflies or lightning bugs, these are beetles of the family Lampyridae. Most species display an ability to produce bioluminescence through a chemical process at the tip of the abdomen. Males flash their lights in flight while passing over grassy areas where the females are waiting. Each species has its own pattern of flashes and some have been discovered to be predatory on other firefly species, immitating the flashes of their prey to lure them in. Larvae are active hunters in loose soil and leaf litter, with most species preying on earth worms or snails.
Identification
All species are rather similar with the pattern of colors and markings on the thorax being most useful for identification as well as subtle differences in size and shape.
Winter Firefly Ellychnia corrusca
A common woodland beetle that is most often found clustering on the trunks of trees. Despite the name, this species is not active during the winter, but adults may be found overwintering in the cracks of tree bark. Adults do, however, emerge early from hibernation, and may be active from March onward. Wnter Fireflies are active during the day and do not produce light.
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Eastern Firefly Photinus pyralis
A locally abundant species in open, grassy places, though sadly declining as natural habitats are progressively replaced by manicured 'deserts' of lawns and concrete. Adult males beginning flying at dusk.
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light-producing segments |