Big dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis) mating frenzy

We’ve experienced the nightly show of millions of fireflies in our yard and the surrounding fields over the past month. The numbers appear to be reaching its seasonal peak. Mating pairs are swarmed by males eagerly in search of females. The males will couple with any part of the mating pair in their pheromone-induced mating [...]

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Six Months Ago: An Abundance of Fireflies

Regular mid-June rains were followed by an abundance of fireflies. I find myself longing for the warm weather and its accompanying lack of snows and wind chills. Photuris females sometimes mimic the flash patterns of female Photinus fireflies, attracting Photinus males who are promptly eaten. The Photuris females sequester the Photinus males’ defensive chemicals in [...]

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Deceit Among Fireflies

Photuris is the second most common genus of fireflies in the U.S. The males flash green or yellow-green. Photuris females sometimes mimic the flash of the neighboring Photinus females, attract flying male Photinus fireflies, and then capture and devour them. The female Photuris fireflies accumulate defensive steroids from the Photinus males, as well as nutrients [...]

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Firefly Larva

While moving some concrete blocks I encountered the firefly larva shown above. The larvae are carnivorous, feeding on other larvae, terrestrial snails, and slugs. The camera certainly does a nice job of capturing the pinkish tinge that is maintained through adulthood (see below). Double click the picture of the adult to better see its mouthparts.

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