Photinus
A male firefly climbs to the tip of a leaf prior to the evening's flights. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA.
Fireflies
A 10 minute night exposure in a restored Illinois prairie reveals the signals of several different species of fireflies, each with a unique pattern. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA.
A 10 minute night exposure in a restored Illinois prairie reveals the signals of at least two different species of fireflies, each with a unique pattern. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA.
Photinus pyralis
A male big dipper firefly, Photinus pyralis, signals to females with an illuminated upward swoop. Urbana, Illinois, USA
After signaling, a Photinus pyralis male hovers to watch for a return signal from a female. Note the firefly's enormous eyes, well-suited for the task. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A 5 minute night exposure in a restored Illinois prairie reveals the signals of several different species of fireflies, each with a unique pattern. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA.
Photinus pyralis fireflies signal to each other at dusk in early summer. Males of this species draw J-shaped swoops while females signal their interest from the grass. The common name "big dipper firefly" stems from this species' distinctive flight pattern. This photograph is a composite of long exposures taken over a 10-minute interval. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA
As dusk turns to night, the midwestern firefly community shifts from the earlier flying Photinus pyralis (the upward streaks) to a later flying Photinus marginellus complex species. This is a 10 minute composite exposure.
Prior to his evening flight, a male Photinus pyralis big dipper firefly tests his flash with a quick pulse. Urbana, Illinois, USA
At the beginning of the evening, a male Photinus pyralis firefly launches himself into the air. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A male firefly signals for females at dusk. Homer Lake, Illinois, USA.
When a female Photinus pyralis firefly spots a male's signal, she signals back with a quick flash. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A firefly, Photinus pyralis, in flight. Urbana, Illinois, USA
Photinus pyralis, signaling. Urbana, Illinois, USA
With the forewings hardened as protective covers, beetles power flight using their hindwings. This is a big dipper firefly, Photinus pyralis. Urbana, Illinois, USA
Photinus pyralis, the big dipper firefly, is unusual in displaying at dusk rather than in complete darkness. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A male big dipper firefly hovers at dusk, awaiting a female reply to his signal. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A male big dipper firefly signals in an ascending line. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A male firefly in flight. Urbana, Illinois, USA.
At dusk, a female firefly signals to a male from her perch in a patch of goldenrod. She can rotate her light organ to face her suitor, who in this case is in front of her. Urbana, Illinois, USA.
A female firefly signals from her perch in a patch of goldenrod. Her light organ is much less conspicuous than that of a male. Urbana, Illinois, USA.
