#firefly beetle

[onenicebugperday]

European glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca, Lampyridae

Like many firefly species, adult females are larviform, meaning they retain their larval appearance even after pupating to sexual maturity. They do not have wings and cannot fly. Photos 6-7 show an adult male. Larvae are predatory and spend 2-3 years feeding primarily on slugs and snails before pupating.

Photos 1-2 by Matthieu Berroneau (Shared with permission; do not remove credit or re-post!)

Photos 3-4 by woodmen19, 5 by pchelovek1205, and 6-7 by sskorpio

[onenicebugperday]

No id needed, just wanted to share the little friend (boxelder i think) that got in my room (again)

Lil dude keeps getting in and i have to keep letting him back out

Looks like a firefly beetle to me! Definitely a beetle rather than a true bug, at any rate.

[onenicebugperday]

@echo-of-the-bells submitted: Hello, can you identify this? Found in [removed], please remove location. Slightly blurry friend cleaning his antennae :) from what I can find it looks like it might be a winter firefly?

It’s a diurnal firefly in the genus Ellychnia, which would include winter fireflies, but also includes a couple other species. I wouldn’t personally be able to say which one just from these photos!

[onenicebugperday]

@walamacada​ submitted: We caught some fireflies while in upstate New York, which was very cool! When we took them out of the jar though, one appeared to be eating the other? Is that normal?

It is normal! Fireflies in the genus Photuris like the one nibbling the other in your photos are predaceous and mimic the mating flashes of other species in order to lure in unsuspecting meals who were just looking for love. RIP, fellas!

[onenicebugperday]

@muma-kitty submitted: happened to witness firefly bathtime while closing at work

Ohohoho cleaning fastidiously. Precious...love their lil butt wiggles :)

[onenicebugperday]

@gastropoidspock submitted: firefly friend joined me on my walk home! (New York, NY)

TINY. What a precious little babe......I can see the glowy bits on their butt even though they’re not lit up o.o

[onenicebugperday]

@qpdbxdbqp submitted: Hi again!

All found in Austria. I have a few cricket portraits but this one has the most dramatic colouring. Is the video of a firefly larvae like someone submitted recently?

Thank you :)

Hello! Another lovely group of friends. The cricket is actually a katydid, although they're commonly called bush crickets. And yes, looks like a firefly larva! Specifically I think a European glow-worm :) You didn't ask for IDs so I'll assume I'm just meant to admire!

[onenicebugperday]

@pikaia​ submitted: (kentucky) im sorry if this isnt super clear but i saw this dude outside & i told my sister he was a trilobite beetle but i am afraid that that might be wrong😭 whatever he is i love him

It is indeed not a trilobite beetle! Trilobite beetles are only those in the genus Platerodrilus, and they are found in South and Southeast Asia. They’re a type of net-winged beetle in the family Lycidae. Your friend is either a firefly beetle or a net-winged beetle. These two families look very similar and I’m not familiar enough with what the larvae (or larviform females) look like in your area to ID it more specifically. @bowelfly​ may know better than I do!