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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Beetles (Coleoptera) » Polyphaga » Series Elateriformia » Elateroidea » Fireflies (Lampyridae) » Unidentified larvae/pupae » Photinini-type --tmp page
Photo#35126
Firefly Larva
Copyright © 2005 tom murray

Firefly Larva
Wayland, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA
October 19, 2005
Size: 10-12mm
Are the light colored areas on these larva the lights of a firefly?
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Contributed by tom murray on 20 October, 2005 - 6:45pm
Last updated 3 March, 2013 - 11:29am

Moved
Moved from Unidentified Firefly Larvae.
… v belov, 3 March, 2013 - 11:29am login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Fireflies.
… tom murray, 11 January, 2009 - 11:21am login or register to post comments

Yes, they're firefly larvae.
I think the light-colored ventral surface of the posterior segments is where the light is produced. Here's one glowing:
… Jim McClarin, 20 October, 2005 - 8:43pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Jim
Good shot of the glow coming from the larva. I didn't know the larva could glow. I'll have to collect the next one I find, and see if it glows at night like yours.
… tom murray, 20 October, 2005 - 9:10pm login or register to post comments

 
Even the pupae glow
but apparently only if they're bumped, jostled, or otherwise molested. I suspect it is to advertise the fact that they are a firefly and taste awful if chomped.
… Jim McClarin, 21 October, 2005 - 4:53am login or register to post comments

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