| Photinus tenuicinctus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. tenuicinctus |
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus tenuicinctus Green, 1956 | |
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. [2] [3] [4]
P. tenuicinctus is a medium-sized beetle, with adults that measure about 8.5–11.5 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow with a dark central mark that is broader at the top, slightly narrowing posteriorly and almost reaching the base of the pronotum. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark with very narrow light-colored margins. The male has lanterns in segments 6 and 7 of its abdomen, and the female has only one lantern. [5] 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. [6]
Photinus is from the Greek word for shining or bright. [7] The specific epithet, tenuicinctus, comes from the Latin words tenuis, which means thin, [8] and cinctus, which means encircled or bordered. [9] The specific epithet refers to the pale border on the elytra, which is thinner than on other Photinus species. [5]
Beetles such as P. tenuicinctus 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. [1] [10]
Adult male P. tenuicinctus fireflies fly 1–2 m (3–7 ft) off the ground and flash to attract the attention of females. Males cover a distance of about 2 meters between single, sharp flashes, which are about 0.15 seconds in duration and are emitted every 1.5 seconds or so, depending on temperature. Female response flashes consist of a single flash, 0.8 seconds in length, at a short time delay (0.4 seconds). Females cannot fly. [11]
These fireflies have been seen in forests and shaded lawns. [11]
P. tenuicinctus has only been recorded in eastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas, in the Ozarks. [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 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.
Lucidota atra, the black firefly or woodland lucy, is a diurnal species of firefly — a member of the Lampyridae family of beetles.
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 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.
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 punctulatus is a species of firefly in the beetle 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.
Photuris lucicrescens, the long crescendo Photuris, July comet, big scary, or big Lucy, is a species of beetle in the Lampyridae family. It is found in the eastern United States.
