Black Firefly

Unlike its cousins, the Black Firefly does not used its illumination quality as an adult and reserves this only for its pupal stage.

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Image Credit: Cade S. from Ohio.

Full-sized image #1 of the Black Firefly

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Image Credit: Linda of Michigan.

Full-sized image #2 of the Black Firefly

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Lampyridae

Genus: Lucidota

Species: atra

Wing coverings on the Black Firefly are completely black. Many other species have yellow edges, but this one only has color on its pronotum, the area by its head. The yellow pronotum has a black mark in the middle of it that is faintly surrounded by red or pink. It is round by the head and curves down to pointed sides by the wings. Unlike other fireflies, this species does not light up at night and so it remains hidden in the darkness. Instead of using pulses of bioluminescence to attract females, males use chemical pheromones. The insect has the capability to illuminate, but it does not do so after it leaves the pupal case to become a winged adult.

Because Black Fireflies are well concealed at night, they become difficult to find after sunset. They hang out in all the same kinds of habitats that other fireflies enjoy like forest, woodlands, the open areas around trees, and in parks, but capturing one could prove a daunting task.©BeetleIdentification.org

The Black Firefly is typically 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches (7mm to 13mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: black; orange; yellow; winged; small; red.

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Orange

Red

Yellow

Black

Beetle Anatomy

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Black Firefly may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Newfoundland and Labrador

Similar Beetles

Similar beetles to the Black Firefly that are associated with or commonly mistaken for...

Big Dipper Firefly

Margined Leatherwing Beetle

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