Diurnal fireflies
Formerly (Ellychnia spp.)
Now classified under the genus Photinus
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview |
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Taxonomic Status Update: The genus Ellychnia (Diurnal Fireflies) was recently synonymized back into the genus Photinus following an evolutionary study by Zaragoza-Caballero et al. (2023). Because previous morphological splits did not result in monophyletic groups, species formerly listed under this genus have been returned to Photinus. The historical photos and records below are maintained here for reference. Diurnal fireflies is an informal grouping of typical fireflies formerly in the genus Ellychnia. Diurnal fireflies are active during the day. They attract mates using chemical signals. In the spring they are often found on tree trunks, especially at sap flows on maple. They are reported to nectar on flowers in the fall, especially on goldenrods, but this needs corroboration. |
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Most diurnal fireflies occur in the southwest. There are just three eastern species, and all three are said to occur in Minnesota, but Photinus corruscus, formerly Ellychnia corrusca, is the only one for which there are records in Minnesota. Some sources, including BugGuide, continue to recognize the genus Ellychnia. |
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Description |
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Diurnal fireflies are small to medium-sized beetles. Though called fireflies, they are non-luminous – neither sex has bioluminescent organs. The eyes are small and spaced far apart. The antennae are slender and have 11 segments. The third and fourth segments are long. The last segment does not have a minute appendage at the tip. The exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) is roughly semi-elliptical. It is rounded in front and the rear angles are almost rectangular. The turned under fold (epipleura) on the lateral margins of the hardened forewings (elytra) are well defined and moderately wide. The legs are short and stout. |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 10/12/2023 | ||||
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) | ||
Family |
Lampyridae (Fireflies) | ||
Subfamily |
Lampyrinae (Typical Fireflies) | ||
Tribe |
Photinini | ||
Genus |
Photinus (Rover Fireflies) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Alexander’s firefly (Photinus alexanderi) California glowworm (Photinus californica) diurnal firefly (Photinus atra) diurnal firefly (Photinus autumnalis) diurnal firefly (Photinus obscurevittata) granular-necked firefly (Photinus granulicollis) greater firefly (Photinus megista) Green’s firefly (Photinus greeni) lake firefly (Photinus lacustris) little torch firefly (Photinus facula) Pacific Northwest firefly (Photinus hatchi) simple firefly (Photinus simplex) sprinkled firefly (Photinus irrorata) tricky firefly (Photinus captiosa) twice-wounded firefly (Photinus bivulneris) winter firefly (Photinus corruscus) yellow-necked firefly (Photinus flavicollis) |
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Synonyms |
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Common Names |
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day-flying fireflies diurnal fireflies |
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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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Crystal Boyd |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Other Videos |
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| Winter Firefly (genus Ellychnia) Bugging You From San Juan Island |
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About
Oct 18, 2022 Ellychnia sp. winter fireflies are not actually flies at all, but a species of beetle in the family Lampyridae. Adults have the ability to withstand cold temperatures and may even be seen in the daytime after a snow. |
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| Ellychnia mated Les Leighton |
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About
Oct 2, 2013 Black Lampyrid Beetles mating. ( Ellychnia spp. ) June 2012 |
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| Ellychnia sp. (winter firefly) on Monarda fistulosa, 8/28/19. She Who Tends the Woods |
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About
Aug 29, 2019 |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| Crystal Boyd 5/29/2013 |
Location: La Salle Lake SNA |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 10/12/2023
Last Updated: