The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera with more than 2,000 described species. They are soft-bodied beetles that are commonly called fireflies, glowworms, or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers. Some species such as the dimly glowing "blue ghost" of the Eastern U.S. may seem to emit blueish-white light from a distance and in low light conditions, but their glow is bright green when observed up close. Their perceived blue tint may be due to the Purkinje effect.
The soldier beetles (Cantharidae) are relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetles. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. One of the first described species has a color pattern reminiscent of the red coats of early British soldiers, hence the common name. They are also known commonly as leatherwings because of their soft elytra.
Luciola is a genus of "flashing" fireflies, especially well-known from Japan. They are often called "Japanese fireflies", but their members range farther into Asia and reach southern Europe and Africa. This genus is traditionally held to extend to Australia, but these species do not seem to belong herein.
The Luciolinae are among the largest subfamilies of fireflies (Lampyridae). They seem to be all "flashing" fireflies. They are a diverse lineage, spreading throughout the warm parts of Eurasia into temperate Europe and East Asia and south to the Australian region.
The Central Mexican broad-clawed shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is found in the highlands above 2000 m in the Mexican states of Colima, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, Mexico, and Puebla, Morelos, and in the Mexican Federal District
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.
Aquatica ficta is a species of firefly found in Taiwan and parts of China. It was formerly placed in the genus Luciola. Its habitat is still water, and the larvae are aquatic.
Aquatica lateralis, known as "heike-botaru" (ヘイケボタル) in Japanese, is a species of firefly found in Russia, Japan and Korea. It was formerly placed in the genus Luciola. The larvae are aquatic and live in rice paddies.
Pyractomena punctiventris is a species in the family Lampyridae (fireflies), in the order Coleoptera (beetles). It is found in North America, where it is known from east-central Texas south to Veracruz, Mexico.
Lucidotini is a tribe of fireflies in the family Lampyridae. There are about 6 genera and at least 40 described species in Lucidotini.
Pyractomena is a genus of fireflies in the family Lampyridae. There are at least 20 described species in Pyractomena.
Pyropyga modesta is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Pyropyga is a genus of fireflies in the beetle family Lampyridae. There are about 13 described species in Pyropyga.
Photinus ignitus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Microphotus dilatatus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Pleotomus pallens is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America and North America. The female firefly of this species emits a brighter form of light than the male and this light decreases after she lays eggs; after she has performed this duty, she dies.
Pyropyga minuta is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America, North America, and South America.
Pyropyga nigricans is a species of firefly in the family of beetles known as Lampyridae. It is found in Central America, North America and Central Europe.
Pyropyga decipiens is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in North America.
Paraphotinus is a genus of central American fireflies, distinguished from the closely related Photinus by the presence of ventral branches in their aedeagal parameres. It was recently elevated to genus level.
