| Photinus pyralis Blow | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. pyralis |
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus pyralis (Linnaeus, 1767) [1] |
|
Photinus pyralis, known by the common names common eastern firefly[2] and big dipper firefly,[3] is the most common species of firefly in North America.[4] This organism is sometimes incorrectly classified as Photuris pyralis, which likely results from mistaking the similar sounding genus Photuris.
The species' common name refers to the characteristic flight of the male, which flies in a J-shaped trajectory, lighting on the upswing.[5]
Males of Photinus pyralis locate females by a series of light flashes, to which females respond with a coded delay flash. The Photuris female may also lure a Photinus pyralis to be eaten to obtain spider-repellent steroids which Cornell researchers named "lucibufagins" in 1997.[6]