So my observations. I have seen these in Kneeland (near Arcata, CA) back in the 80's, relatively common compared to my recent sighting below. Previous observation of bioluminescence displayed in these guys after a rain was shared by me. Found in second growth redwood habitat in groups of dozens, however, sightings were localized to two specific areas, not present everywhere in redwood habitat. Displayed bioluminescence only in certain season (fall) and not every season. only had two sightings total in 10 years of looking, but when I did, there were dozens.

Reason I'm writing this however is I had a sighting of one of these guys in Sedona, AZ (very close to picture, left it alone, so can't do a part by part comparison). There was only one, we observed it light up for over a 30 minute period, it was travelling at same time. Sighted 9/21/08 near Vultee Arch. First sighting in 35 years of exploring this area.

Returning on woodland path from our Lake County, CA, vineyard to house on July 7,2011, 21:20 local pacific time (0420Z Jul 8), spotted a brilliant blue-green dot in the dirt, like a star in the sky, at distance of 10m. Close examination showed two bands of luminescence, visually estimated .3mm x 1.5 mm. Low flashlight illumination revealed larvae similar to above (how do I up-load photo?. Precise location: Google Earth 39 deg 00'9.80"N, 122 deg 48'44.72"W at 1792 ft (547m) ASL. Reminiscent of fire-fly by color. Extinguished by 2300 local time.

Observed at similar times for several days. No others spotted in ~30m radius around obs. point. Environment is densely wooded with manzanita, oak, some digger pine etc.

Seems like an unusual citing; We are at Kelseyville CA on south end of Clear Lake; 50mi (80kM) from coast. Weather had been very hot, 103deg F daytime temp, 85 deg at observation time.

Very exciting for non-expert to see this; I am PhD chemist by training, now vintner and incidental observer of insects.

How do I upload photo?

Bill Haddon, Ph. D.
Talleyrand Winery

you open a category such as beetles or ID Request, click on images tab, and click on Add an Image, then fill in the form and click on the image field and browse your files for the image you want to upload. Once it's been posted you can then imbed thumbnail images of the photo in comments by typing thumb:, then the number above your image, all inside brackets.

Amazing little things. i just found one today. i thought i was crazy when i saw it on the ground glowing. looks just like the picture, 'cept it was rolled up in a ball. never seen one in my life befor now.

thanks for the hint Jim
looking at Category:Lampyridae in the wikimedia, i see one that looks correct (Lampyris noctiluca) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Lampyris_noctiluca
but i do not see any references to it being in the pacific north west
& i have lots of them in my yard

Dick

Strever... would you like to post this excellent picture on the World Cantharoidea website? let me know...

http://mycantharoidea.biosci.arizona.edu

This is either the larva or adult female of Pterotus obscuripennis, apparently a relatively common, but seldom seen species found in the Pacific states.

This is a larva of P obscuripennis, not the adult female; the latter is white and has tarsal claws rather than tarsunguli

Please say a little about yourself (on your personal profile page is fine) so we'll know how you know. Maybe just an active link to your Web site would suffice: http://mycantharoidea.biosci.arizona.edu