![]() ![]() This little daytime firefly is known as the Flower Elf (Pyropyga minuta)Ħ. Some daytime species spend enough time visiting flowers for nectar and pollen that they can be effective pollinators. With the exception of a few predatory species (we’ll get to that later), they mostly sip on dew, plant sap or nectar. Most fireflies eat very little, if anything, during the adult phase of their lives. In fact, this is the one most of us grew up catching in our backyards, since they fly just a few feet above the ground, flashing in a “lazy J” pattern.ĥ. It is highly adaptable and widespread, which makes it our most ubiquitous and familiar firefly. More specifically, it is the Common Eastern Firefly ( Phontinus pyralis), which is active throughout most of the late spring and early summer months. Our Tennessee State Insect.In 1975 the Firefly, along with the Ladybug, was designated our state insect. Peak nights of Blue Ghosts are absolutely breathtaking.Ĥ. They can stay lit up to a minute as they trace a silent path only a few feet above the forest floor. It is unique for holding a steady, bluish glow, rather than flashing. While it was once thought to only reside in the highest elevations of the state, populations are now being discovered statewide. My absolute favorite has to be the Blue Ghost ( Phausis reticulata) which typically flies in late spring and early summer. Identification of fireflies isn’t always so straightforward, but their size, color, seasonality and especially their flash pattern, are helpful for narrowing down the species. Some emerge gradually and are active during much of the warm season. The earliest emerging firefly is usually the Spring Treetop Flasher ( Pyractomena borealis). ![]() Some emerge in a single generation at a specific time of year. There are many different species.As a matter of fact, in the state of Tennessee there are at least 30 different firefly species. ![]() The Winter Firefly (Ellychnia) is active during the day and lacks glowing organs (lanterns) on its abdomenģ. Many of these species are active during the daylight hours, and some can be seen visiting flowers for nectar or flying through the forest. There are actually numerous firefly species that lack lanterns, the bioluminescent organs, and find each other by using pheromones with their larger antennae. Not all fireflies light up as adults.To be considered a firefly you have to light up in at least larval stage. These elytra are one thing that all adult beetles have in common.Ģ. If you catch a firefly and let it crawl up to your finger, watch it lift its elytra, or hard wing coverings, before they unfurl their wings folded up underneath and fly away. They are neither a fly nor a bug.We know them as fireflies or lightning bugs, but did you know they are actually beetles? They are in the family Lampyridae, close relatives of soldier beetles. They are fascinating on so many levels that I wanted to break down some of the top facts about fireflies that you may not have been aware of.ġ. However, there is much more to these animals than meets the eye. For this reason, we call these bioluminescent organisms charismatic insects.Ī Snappy Sync firefly (Photuris frontalis) flashes a path through the woods at Edgar Evins State Park They enrich our lives simply by existing and flashing their ethereal lights on warm summer nights. Most insects get attention by either directly benefiting us (like pollinators) or by having a negative impact (such as disease-carrying ticks) but fireflies are neither. While not everyone is a fan of insects, there is one that seems to win the hearts of young and old alike. In honor of upcoming World Firefly Day (which falls on July 2nd this year), I wanted to spend some paragraphs highlighting these special arthropods. 10 Facts About Fireflies You May Not Have Knownįireflies lighting up a June night at Edgar Evins State Park ![]()
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