Common Eastern FireflyPhotinus pyralis
About this species
- Length
- 0.5 in
- Wingspan
- 1 in
From our Collectors' field notes
Diet
In their larval stage, they are fierce carnivores, feasting on worms, snails, and slugs. Once adults, most never eat during their short, weeks-long lifespan, running purely on energy stored from youth.
Defense
If grabbed by a predator, these fireflies instinctively ooze droplets of bitter, toxic blood from their leg joints to force their release.
The Light Show
To locate a mate, a male dips low into the grass and then swoops upward, flashing his lantern on the rise to draw a distinct, glowing "J" shape in the air.
Glowworms
As larvae, they spend up to two years living under damp leaves and soil as wingless larvae. Similar to the adults, these grubs are also able to light up their tails in the dark!
Field Marks
Night: Glowing tail. Day: Bold black bullseye, heavily outlined in bright yellow and pinkish-red on the plate behind their head called the pronotum.