Lampyridae - Firefly Beetles

Several taxa of this fascinating group of beetles have larvae known to live in the air spaces of aquatic plants, or are associated with aquatic or semiaquatic plants in aquatic habitats. A number of species have larvae that are adapted to feed on aquatic snails, and perhaps annelids; some larvae of Asian species have tracheal gills that permit a truly aquatic existence.

This list is based on information kindly provided by Dr. Jim Lloyd, and records listed in Downie and Arnett (1996).

Photinus LaPorte, 1833

Photinus ardens LeConte, 1851 - Downie and Arnett (1996)
Photinus consimilis Green (complex), 1956 - Downie and Arnett (1996)
Photinus obscurellus LeConte, 1851 - Downie and Arnett (1996)

Pyractomena LeConte, 1850

Pyractomena dispersa Green, 1958 - Downie and Arnett (1996)
Pyractomena linearis LeConte, 1851 - Downie and Arnett (1996)
Pyractomena lucifera Melsheimer, 1846 - Downie and Arnett (1996)
Pyractomena sinuata Green, 1958 - IL, MN, WI

Pyropyga Motschulsky, 1852

Pyropyga decipiens (Harris), 1836 Lampyris - IN, ON
Pyropyga nigricans (Say), 1823 Lampyris - IL, IN, ON

Page created: May 05, 2003 - Last updated: April 9, 2006 (EB)