| Photinus consimilis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. consimilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus consimilis Green, 1956 | |
Photinus consimilis, or cattail flash-train firefly, [2] is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in eastern North America. [3] [4] [5]
P. consimilis is a medium-sized beetle, with adults that measure about 10—11 mm (0.4 in) long. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow with a dark, central bar that is sometimes wider at the front, bounded by red or pink. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark with light-colored margins. The male has lanterns on 2 segments of its abdomen and the female has a lantern on only one segment. The rest of the abdominal segments are dark. [6] [2]
Photinus is from the Greek word for shining or bright. [7] The specific epithet, consimilis, means "with similarity", and refers to the fact that there are several other closely related species that look similar, including Photinus carolinus . [2]
Beetles such as P. consimilis 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. [2]
Adult male P. consimilis fireflies fly usually about eye level or lower, flashing a series of quick pulses to attract the attention of females. Their flash pattern consists of 3 to 9 quick pulses of light, with each series, or flash train, about 2 seconds in length, with a period of 9 to 12 seconds of darkness before the next flash train, depending on temperature. A female responds with an answering double flash from a perch on low vegetation, and the communication continues until the male and female locate each other in order to mate. [2]
This firefly is found in wetlands, along streams, on riverbanks, and in marshes. [2]
P. consimilis is native to the eastern United States and has been found as far west as eastern Oklahoma and north to southern Ontario. [1]
Photinus pyralis, also known by the common names the common eastern firefly or big dipper firefly, and sometimes called a "lightning bug", is a species of flying beetle. An organ on its abdomen is responsible for its light production. It is the most common species of firefly in North America, and is typically found east of the Rocky Mountains. Photinus fireflies are often confused with fireflies of the similar-sounding genus, Photuris, which are also found in North America.
The rover fireflies (Photinus) are a genus of fireflies. They are the type genus of tribe Photinini in subfamily Lampyrinae. This genus contains, for example, the common eastern firefly, the most common species of firefly in North America.
Photinus carolinus, commonly known as the Smokies synchronous firefly, is a species of rover firefly whose mating displays of synchronous flashing have fascinated both scientists and tourists. As individual females synchronize with males nearby, waves of alternating bright light and darkness seem to travel across the landscape. Firefly displays typically occur in early June near Elkmont, Tennessee, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Gatlinburg. The species can be found in isolated pockets of the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States.
Photinus consanguineus, or double cousin firefly, is a species of firefly in the genus Photinus. It is found in eastern North America.
Photinus macdermotti, or Father Mac's firefly or Mr. Mac, is a species of firefly in the family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus brimleyi, or sidewinder firefly is a species of firefly in the Photinus genus. It is found in the southeastern United States.
Photinus sabulosus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus ardens is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus marginellus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus cookii, or Cook's firefly is a species of day-active firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America in the Eastern USA, including Florida and Texas.
Photinus concisus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Kerrville, Texas. It the species most closely related to Photinus pyralis.
Photinus ignitus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus collustrans is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus indictus, or silent firefly, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is a diurnal firefly, active during the day rather than at night, with no lanterns. It is found in eastern North America.
Photinus knulli is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus tenuicinctus, or thinly-girdled firefly or Ozark spark, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in the Ozarks in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Photinus punctulatus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus obscurellus is a species of firefly in the family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus immaculatus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Photinus texanus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
