Animal Profiles
Insects

Firefly

Lampyridae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Fireflies are light-producing beetles. This account describes the common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis), whose evening signals help individuals find mates.

Photinus pyralis, the representative described in this account.

Photinus pyralis, the representative described in this account.

art farmer from evansville indiana, usa · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Common eastern fireflies occur east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States.
Habitat
Grassland, Temperate forest
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Larvae hunt small animals in moist ground habitats.

Classification

Common name
Firefly
Browse group
Insects
Scientific name or taxon
Lampyridae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Lampyridae
Source classification
Insecta

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a beetle.
  • Courtship uses light signals.
  • Larvae are predators.

Habitat and range

Common eastern fireflies occur east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Meadows, woodland edges and damp ground provide habitat for different life stages.

Appearance and adaptations

Dark wing covers have pale edges, and a shield partially covers the head. Light-producing organs near the end of the abdomen create the flashes associated with courtship.

Diet and behaviour

Larvae hunt small animals in moist ground habitats. At dusk, flying males flash and receptive females answer from vegetation or the ground, allowing a pair to locate one another.

Sources

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