Lucidota atra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lampyridae
Genus: Lucidota
Species:
L. atra
Binomial name
Lucidota atra
(G. Olivier, 1790)

Lucidota atra, the black firefly or woodland lucy,[2] is a diurnal species of firefly — a member of the Lampyridae family of beetles (order Coleoptera).[3][4][5]

Range

Lucidota atra are found in eastern North America, excluding Mexico. Their range extends west to Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.[2]

Description

Adult body length is 9 to 12 mm (0.35 to 0.47 in).[6] This firefly has segmented, conspicuous, black antennae that are serrate, with males having larger antennae.[7]: 84 [8] The pronotum extends over the head and is usually red and yellow with a medial black stripe or patch,[6] but may be dark overall in some individuals.[9] The compound eyes are smaller than those of nocturnal species like Photinus pyralis.[10] The elytra are black or brown-black[6] and have granulated texture.[9] The light organ is greatly reduced and difficult to discern in the adult.[7]: 30 

Behavior

This is a firefly that flies actively in daylight. Males fly low, about 1 to 6 ft (0.3 to 1.8 m) from the ground, through forests in midday, seeking females, which are often perched on low vegetation. Most are seen in the late morning to early afternoon.[8] Male Lucidota atra can identify female mating partners by sensing the female's pheromones with their antennae.[11] Lucidota atra express a characteristic set of odorant receptor genes in their antennae.[10] Both males and females are able to fly.[8]

Life Cycle

Adults

Adults emerge in early to midsummer. In eastern Canada, larvae eclose beginning in late May, and adult numbers peak in late June to mid-July.[12] In the southern Appalachians, numbers peak in mid- to late June.[8]

Eggs, Larvae, and Pupae

Once the adults mate, the female lays eggs that hatch in about 2 to 3 weeks.[8] The flightless larvae live in moist environments, especially decaying wood, and prey on invertebrates with soft bodies, such as snails and slugs.[2] The larvae or pupae are inactive in the winter, becoming adults in early to midsummer.[13]

Habitat

L. atra are found primarily in open forest or shady open areas.[8]

Light Production

Adults have no working lanterns, although they often have pale terminal abdominal segments. Larvae are bioluminescent.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Fallon, C. (2021). "Lucidota atra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T164015516A166771328. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T164015516A166771328.en. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Fallon, C. (1 July 2022). "Lucidota atra: Black Firefly". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Lucidota atra Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). doi:10.5066/F7KH0KBK. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Lucidota atra (G. Oliver, 1790) in GBIF Secretariat". GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. 2021. doi:10.15468/39omei. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Firefly (Lucidota atra)". Invasive.org Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. October 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  6. 1 2 Luk, Stephen P.L.; Marshall, Stephen A.; Branham, Marc A. (2011). "The Fireflies (Coleptera; Lampyridae) of Ontario". Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification (16). doi:10.3752/cjai.2011.16.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Faust, Lynn Frierson (2017). Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-8203-4872-8.
  8. 1 2 Cresswell, Stephen (2020). "Lucidota atra Black Firefly". American Insects. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 Svistunov, Victor (2022). What's That Smell? Expression of Odorant Receptors in Lucidota atra, the Black Firefly (BSc thesis). Bucknell University. 614. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  10. ↑ Lloyd, James E. (1 April 1972). "Chemical Communication in Fireflies". Environmental Entomology. 1 (2): 265–266. doi:10.1093/ee/1.2.265.
  11. ↑ Majka, Christopher G. (2012). "The Lampyridae (Coleoptera) of Atlantic Canada" (PDF). Journal of the Acadian Entomological Society. 8: 11–29. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Sara (2016). Silent Sparks, the Wondrous World of Fireflies. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-16268-3.
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