Other Common Names
Firefly Beetles, Lightning Bugs
Pronunciation
lamb-PIER-ri-dee (University of Florida
ENY 3005)
Explanation of Names
Author of family is
Latreille, 1817. From genus
Lampyris, from Latin word for glowworm (larval stage). This from the Greek word for glowworm, λαμπυρισ, compare λαμπειν, to shine (
Oxford English Dictionary--entry for
Lampyrine).
Identification
Family characteristics (University of Florida),
(1):
Soft-bodied browninsh or blackish beetles
Pronotum is prolonged so far forward that the head is concealed from above. (Compare Soldier beetles, Canthardiae, where head is visible from above.)
First abdominal sternite entire, not divided by hind coxae (true for suborder Polyphaga).
Last 2-3 abdominal sternites often modified to light-emitting organs.
Tarsal formula 5-5-5
Habitat
Nocturnal, some live in moist places under debris on the ground, others beneath bark and decaying vegetation.
(1)Food
Larvae prey on small animals including snails. Adults of many genera do not feed
(1). However female
Photuris are known to lure males of genus
Photinus with the flash pattern of female
Photinus in order to consume them and obtain defensive chemicals from them (Eisner et al., 1997),
(2).
Remarks
On summer nights they blink their green or yellow light organs to attract mates. Because of this they are among the most familiar insects.
(1)
Many species protected by potent chemical defenses, primarily the steroid-like
lucibufagins. These toxic compounds are known to make some fireflies distasteful to jumping spiders and birds
(2), (Eisner et al., 1978).
Print References
American Beetles, Vol.2, Chapter 62
(3)
Milne and Milne, 1980,
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders (1).
Eisner, 2003,
For Love of Insects (2)
Eisner et al., 1997. Firefly “femmes fatales” acquire defensive steroids (lucibufagins) from their firefly prey. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94: 9723–9728.
