science education resource

Firefly

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Photinus Pyralis
Firefly

Range

They are found all over the world in warm, humid places or in drier places after a rain. In the U.S. they are found only in the East as far west as Kansas.

Habitat

They live in fields, yards and open woodlands.

Body Traits

They have brown wings with yellow edges. There is a red plate behind their head with a black spot in the center. Last section of abdomen lights up to attract a mate.

Habits

Their tail end lights on summer nights to attract a mate.

Diet

They eat insects, worms, and snails.

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School subscriptions can access more than 175 downloadable unit bundles in our store for free (a value of $1,500).

District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Email for a quote: sheri@exploringnature.org.

Reproduction

The female lays eggs in the soil that hatch 4 weeks later.

Firefly

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Family: Lampyridae
Genus: Photinus
Species: P. pyralis

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