| Photinus cookii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. cookii |
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus cookii Green, 1956 | |
Photinus cookii, or Cook's firefly [2] is a species of day-active firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. [3] It is found in North America in the Eastern USA, including Florida and Texas. [4] [5] [6]
P. cookii is a small beetle, with adults measuring 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark, with wide, light-colored side margins. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow with a dark bar in the center, reaching from the top of the pronotum to the base. The body has short hairs, which are visible with a microscope. P. cookii does not have working lanterns on its abdomen, although there may be small vestigial lanterns or light patches on the final 2 segments. The males and the females are similar in appearance. [2] [7]
The genus name Photinus is from the Greek word for shining or bright. [8] The species was first described by John Wagener Green in 1956. [7] The species is named as an honorific for Mr. Carl Cook, who had collected the holotype male and other specimens in Carilhope, Kentucky, 11-VII-1946. The species name is therefore noun in genitive case.
Several years later Lloyd (1966) [9] published an overview of Photinus in USA, and wrote the name as "Photinus cooki" (i.e. altering the ending to a single "i" as "cooki"), perhaps considering it as a correction; but per nomenclatural regulations in ICZN 31.1, the original spelling of "cookii" is admissible and therefore it is subsequently retained.
Beetles such as P. cookii 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. Adult P. cookii appear in summer, in June and July. [1] [2]
P. cookii is a non-flashing firefly, active during the day rather than at night. It is believed that these fireflies locate a mate using pheromones. [2]
Adults are seen during the day in gardens, yards, open woodlands, fencerows, and open areas. [2]
This species has been reported from Missouri to the north, Alabama to the south, North Carolina to the east, and Texas to the west. [1]
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 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 consimilis, or cattail flash-train firefly, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in eastern 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.
Pyropyga minuta, or flower elf, is a species of day-active firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America and 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.
