fireflies
(Family Lampyridae)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Lampyridae is the family that includes fireflies, also called glow worms or lightning bugs. There are about 2,200 described species worldwide, about 170 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 19 species in Minnesota. Most adults and all larvae produce light by an efficient chemical process that gives off almost no heat. In most species, flashing is the means by which the male, flashing in flight, finds a female of the same species, flashing on the ground. |
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Larvae prey on small insects, insect larvae, snails, and slugs. Adults of most species do not feed. |
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Description |
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Adults are soft-bodied, elongated, and flattened. Most are brown or black with light markings. They have nearly parallel sides and rounded ends. The exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) is nearly as wide at the base as the forewings (elytra). The front of the pronotum is extended forward and completely covers the head, though the head may be extended beyond it. The elytra are leathery and loosely cover the body. The last 2 or 3 abdominal segments are often luminescent. The last part of the leg (tarsus), corresponding to the foot, has 5 segments. |
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Distribution |
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| 11/27/2020 | ||||
Taxonomy |
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Order |
Coleoptera (beetles) | ||
Suborder |
Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf, and snout beetles) | ||
Infraorder |
Elateriformia | ||
Superfamily |
Elateroidea (click, firefy, and soldier beetles) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Subfamily Amydetinae Subfamily Cyphonocerinae Subfamily Lampyrinae (typical fireflies) Subfamily Luciolinae Subfamily Ototretinae Subfamily Photurinae Subfamily Pterotinae |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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fireflies glow worms lightning bugs lightningbugs |
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Glossary
Elytra
The hardened or leathery forewings of beetles used to protect the fragile hindwings, which are used for flying. Singular: elytron.
Pronotum
The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.
Visitor Photos |
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Nanc |
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| Found a firefly on the bottom of a zucchini that was growing in my straw bale garden. It was probably trying to get some shade & stay cool on this hot, muggy day. |  |
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Alfredo Colon |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Watch: Fireflies Glowing in Sync to Attract Mates | National Geographic National Geographic |
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About
Sep 4, 2016 Each year in late spring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosts a special light show, thanks to a species of beetle native to the region. These are the synchronous fireflies, known for coordinating their flashes into bursts that ripple through a group of the insects. As with other fireflies, their yellowish glow helps potential mates find one another. |
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| Meet the Lampyridae Siouxsie Wiles |
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About
Dec 7, 2011 Learn a little about the amazing firefly and how it is helping scientists in the battle against some of the world's nastiest microbes. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Nanc 7/12/2021 |
Location: Brooklyn Park, Mn Found a firefly on the bottom of a zucchini that was growing in my straw bale garden. It was probably trying to get some shade & stay cool on this hot, muggy day. |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/7/2019 |
Location: Woodbury, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 11/27/2020
Last Updated: