100 More Species #80: Firefly

[urbpan]

Firefly Photinus sp.

This soft-winged bioluminescing beetle was brazenly basking on the rail of our front stoop. I rarely see nocturnal fireflies (the diurnal non-bioluminescing variety are musch more conspicuous) whether flying at night or at rest in day. One might think this creature was taking an unnecessary risk of predation, by bird or jumping spider. But this genus of firefly produces a distasteful chemical to protect itself from these enemies. Predatory fireflies, unable to generate this defense, are known to lure male Photinus fireflies with their own light to feed on them and make use of the protective chemical.

Comments

[deathling.livejournal.com]

You mean your nights in June aren't filled with thousands of little flashing lights????

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

Alas, no. One of the things I love about our new (2 years now) house in the Suburbs is that we do get the occasional flash of light in the back yard, but nothing compared to the firefly light shows of the my youth!

Do you get them there? I assumed you were pretty close to Baltimore/DC area. Fireflies disappear around cities because of light pollution.