Fireflies, Lightning Bugs

Family Lampyridae

Pyropyga nigricans. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Both the adults and larvae feed on smaller insects and snails. They inject a toxic substance that paralyzes their prey, and they suck out the liquified body contents. Some adult firefly beetles do not feed.The flashing of fireflies is usually specific to each species and it is used mainly to attract a mate of the same species, and in some rare cases to attract other species which will be eaten. Most lampyrid larvae are also luminescent and are sometimes called glowworms. Lampyridae are elongated and soft-bodied beetles, and most of the species have their head covered by the pronotom. The larger members of the group have a yellowish green organ near the end of the abdomen which gives them their capacity to produce light.