Photinus consimilis, or cattail flash-train firefly,^[1] is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in eastern North America.^[2][3][4]

Description

P. consimilis is a medium-sized beetle, with adults that measure about 10—11 mm (0.4 in) long. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow with a dark, central bar that is sometimes wider at the front, bounded by red or pink. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark with light-colored margins. The male has lanterns on 2 segments of its abdomen and the female has a lantern on only one segment. The rest of the abdominal segments are dark.

Life Cycle

Beetles such as P. consimilis go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Photinus fireflies spend the majority of their lives as larvae, which are bioluminescent and likely live below the soil surface, eating snails, worms, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.^[1]

Behavior

Adult male P. consimilis fireflies fly usually about eye level or lower, flashing a series of quick pulses to attract the attention of females. Their flash pattern consists of 3 to 9 quick pulses of light, with each series, or flash train, about 2 seconds in length, with a period of 9 to 12 seconds of darkness before the next flash train, depending on temperature. A female responds with an answering double flash from a perch on low vegetation, and the communication continues until the male and female locate each other in order to mate.^[1]

Habitat

This firefly is found in wetlands, along streams, on riverbanks, and in marshes.^[1]

Range

P. consimilis is native to the eastern United States and has been found as far west as eastern Oklahoma and north to southern Ontario.^[5]

References

Further reading