Photuris Pennsylvannica
Woods Firefly

Length : 12-15 mm

Recognition marks : Head and thorax are dull yellow; thorax has a red disk witha narrow median dark stripe; elytra are brown or pitchy black with pale narrow side margins, suture, and narrow stripe on the disk. Thorax and elytra are densely and rather roughly punctate. Members of this genus can be recognized by their large eyes, slightly exposed head, and antennae which are longer than one-half the length of the body. The light organs in both sexes occupy the whole of the fifth and following segments.

Habitat : Adults are found in forests rather than in the fields as most members of the family.

Distribition : Throughout the United States.

Note : TThe light organs of fireflies are used in biochemical assays. They are gathered from wild populations because so far no one has been able to raise fireflies in captivity.