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Photinus pyralis, better known by it's common name, the common eastern firefly is a species of flying beetle, notably known for its light-producing abilities by means of an organ on its abdomen. It is the most common species of firefly in North America, and is typically found east of the Rocky Mountains. Photinus fireflies are often confused with fireflies of the similar-sounding genus, Photuris, which are also found in North America.

Common eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis)

These fireflies are most noticeable around twilight in the spring and summer months, and fly close to the ground, usually around long blades of grass. Due to the characteristic flight of the males, this species is also often called the big dipper firefly; the trajectory appears to follow a J-shape, lighting on the upswing . During flight, this J-pattern is used alongside light flashing to attract females, who rest on vegetation instead of flying and signal back to males if interested .  The firefly flashes are stimulated by light-activated proteins, not rhythmic impulses as originally thought.

Although their conservation status is classified as “Least Concern”, these fireflies do face some dangers. Aside from natural predators, the biggest threats to their populations include light pollution, pesticide use, climate change, and human building and development in their habitats.

Photinus pyralis contain steroid compounds called “lucibufagins” which serve as one of their many defense strategies as they can repel spiders and other insects. However, the Photuris fireflies with whom the common Eastern fireflies are regularly confused actually use the presence of these lucibufagins to prey on the P. pyralis. Male common Eastern fireflies can be lured by female Photuris fireflies through light signal mimicry, and are eaten when they get close enough. Through this, Photuris can acquire the lucibufagins for themselves, demonstrating that this spider-repellant, while a defense mechanism for the most part, can also serve as an attractant to some predators.

Description

Common Eastern fireflies are small soft-bodied beetles that range between 5 and 25 mm in size. They have flat black or brown bodies with wings that extend the length of their entire thorax and abdomen. Plates with red and black spots cover their head, and yellow markings can be seen extending the rest of their bodies, usually around their wings.

Both males and females of this species have light-emitting organs on the ventral side of their abdomens, but while this organ extends the length of the last three segments of the males’ abdomens, only the second to last segment of the females’ abdomens bioluminesce.

Although some species of fireflies can be diurnal, Photinus pyralis, as well as most of the other flying fireflies are nocturnal.

Geographic Range/Habitat

Common Eastern fireflies are found in a variety of habitats, ranging from temperate to tropical environments. Although they can be found across most of North America, they are most densely populated in the northeastern region of the United States and Canada.

Some natural habitats of these fireflies include meadows, fields, wetlands, desert canyons, and dense forests, and while they can successfully thrive in all of these areas, they require moisture to survive at all life stages. P. pyralis also tend to form microhabitats using a variety of organic material such as leaf litter and rotting vegetation so they can better signal to other fireflies, establish hunting territories, and secure shelter to lay their eggs and survive through winter months. They are especially drawn to areas with damp soil and long grasses to better conceal females and offspring.

Historical Range & Migration

Population studies have been done to investigate whether P. pyralis has always been endemic to the northeast regions of North America, especially because the species continues to occupy a wide variety of habitats across the continent. It has been discovered that ancestrally, the North American population originated in Texas during the Miocene epoch before migrating to the central states of the USA and more recently, the Northeast coast. Through the tracking of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along with other genetic markers, researchers have concluded that the common Eastern firefly possibly migrated during interglacial periods, which researchers suggest could account for the divergence to other Photinus species.

References

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