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
A small male Photinus pyralis firefly mates with a female. Small males aren't as luminous or easy to see as large males, but they are more agile. Field studies have shown that small males are more successful at mating than large males when many males are present. Urbana, Illinois, USA
