Eastern Firefly

Description:

Photinus pyralis, known by the common names common eastern fireflyand big dipper firefly,is the most common species of firefly in North America.P. pyralis is a flying and light producing beetle with a light organ on the ventral side of its abdomen. This organism is sometimes incorrectly classified as Photuris pyralis, which likely results from mistaking the similar sounding genus Photuris. The Photuris female may also lure a Photinus pyralis to be eaten to obtain spider-repellent steroids which Cornell researchers named "lucibufagins" in 1997. In males the light organ covers the entire ventral surface of the three most posterior segments and in females it only covers a portion of the third posterior segment. These fireflies are most noticeable around twilight, in the early part of the evening and hover close to the ground. The species' common name refers to the characteristic flight of the male, which flies in a J-shaped trajectory, lighting on the upswing. During flight, the J-shaped flight pattern is used in combination with patrolling flash patterns while seeking a mate. Their flashes are stimulated by light conditions, not by rhythmic impulses as originally thought