Photinus punctulatus
| Photinus punctulatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Elateriformia |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. punctulatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus punctulatus LeConte, 1852 | |
Photinus punctulatus, or punctate firefly, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in the central United States.
Description
P. punctulatus is a small to medium-sized beetle, with adults that measure about 5–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow and red with a dark central mark that is broader at the top, slightly narrowing posteriorly and almost reaching the base of the pronotum. The texture of the pronotum is pitted. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark with light-colored margins. The male has lanterns in segments 6 and 7 of its abdomen, and the female has only one lantern. The male has elytra that extend the length of its abdomen, but the female is brachypterous and cannot fly, with short elytra that reach only slightly beyond its first abdominal segment.
Etymology
The specific epithet refers to the small dots or depressions on the pronotum.
Life Cycle
Beetles such as P. punctulatus go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Photinus fireflies spend the majority of their lives as larvae, which are bioluminescent and likely live below the soil surface, eating snails, worms, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
Behavior
Adult male P. punctulatus fireflies fly 1–2 m (3–7 ft) off the ground and flash to attract the attention of females, who perch on the tips of grass blades near the ground. Males cover a distance of about 1 to 2 meters between single, sharp flashes, which are about 0.15 seconds in duration and are emitted about once a second, depending on temperature. Female response flashes consist of a single flash, averaging 0.36 seconds in length, at a short time delay (0.32 seconds). Females cannot fly.
Habitat
These fireflies are found in lawns and meadows with tall grass.
Range
P. punctulatus is found in the central US, from Texas to Illinois.
References
- 1 2 3 Walker, A. (2021). ""Photinus punctulatus"". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T164046472A166771628. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T164046472A166771628.en. Retrieved 20 October 2026.
- ↑ "Photinus punctulatus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ↑ "Photinus punctulatus". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ↑ "Photinus punctulatus species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- 1 2 3 Green, J.W. (1956). "Revision of the Nearctic species of Photinus (Lampyridae: Coleoptera)". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (28): 561-613. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ↑ Faust, Lynn Frierson (2017). Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-8203-4872-8.
- 1 2 Lloyd, J.E. (1966). "Studies on the flash communication system in Photinus fireflies" (PDF). University of Michigan Miscellaneous Publications. 130: 1 - 95. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
Further reading
- Green, J. W. (1956). "Revision of the Nearctic species of Photinus (Lampyridae: Coleoptera)" (PDF). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. Fourth Series. 28: 561–613. ISSN 0068-547X.