A firefly, Photinus pyralis, in flight. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Female Photinus pyralis do not fly during courtship. Instead, they perch in vegetation at dusk and signal in response to a suitable male flash. Here, a female aims her light organ to signal back at a male. Urbana, Illinois, USA

This female Photinus pyralis has brought in several males. In contrast to the large light-producing organ of the male, that of the female is smaller and confined to a single segment. Urbana, Illinois, USA