Photinus tenuicinctus, or thinly-girdled firefly or Ozark spark, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in the Ozarks in Arkansas and Oklahoma.[2][3][4]
| Photinus tenuicinctus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Lampyridae |
| Genus: | Photinus |
| Species: | P. tenuicinctus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Photinus tenuicinctus Green, 1956
| |
Description
editP. tenuicinctus is a medium-sized beetle, with adults that measure about 8.5–11.5 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long. The head shield, or pronotum, is pale yellow with a dark central mark that is broader at the top, slightly narrowing posteriorly and almost reaching the base of the pronotum. The wing covers, or elytra, are dark with very narrow light-colored margins. The male has lanterns in segments 6 and 7 of its abdomen, and the female has only one lantern.[5] The male has elytra that extend the length of its abdomen, but the female is brachypterous and cannot fly, with short elytra that reach only slightly beyond its first abdominal segment.[6]
Etymology
editPhotinus is from the Greek word for shining or bright.[7] The specific epithet, tenuicinctus, comes from the Latin words tenuis, which means thin,[8] and cinctus, which means encircled or bordered.[9] The specific epithet refers to the pale border on the elytra, which is thinner than on other Photinus species.[5]
Life Cycle
editBeetles such as P. tenuicinctus go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Photinus fireflies spend the majority of their lives as larvae, which are bioluminescent and likely live below the soil surface, eating snails, worms, and other soft-bodied invertebrates.[1][10]
Behavior
editAdult male P. tenuicinctus fireflies fly 1–2 m (3–7 ft) off the ground and flash to attract the attention of females. Males cover a distance of about 2 meters between single, sharp flashes, which are about 0.15 seconds in duration and are emitted every 1.5 seconds or so, depending on temperature. Female response flashes consist of a single flash, 0.8 seconds in length, at a short time delay (0.4 seconds). Females cannot fly.[11]
Habitat
editThese fireflies have been seen in forests and shaded lawns.[11]
Range
editP. tenuicinctus has only been recorded in eastern Oklahoma and northern Arkansas, in the Ozarks.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Walker, A. (2021). "Photinus tenuicinctus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T164046117A166771598. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T164046117A166771598.en. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "Photinus tenuicinctus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ^ "Photinus tenuicinctus". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ^ "Photinus tenuicinctus species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
- ^ a b Green, J.W. (1956). "Revision of the Nearctic species of Photinus (Lampyridae: Coleoptera)". Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (28): 561-613. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Lloyd, J.E. (1964). "Description of a brachypterous firefly female of the genus Photinus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)". The Coleopterists' Bulletin. 18(4): 127-128. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ "φωτεινός". Wiktionary, the free dictionary. 17 March 2023.
- ^ "tenuis". Wiktionary, the free dictionary. 23 May 2024.
- ^ "cinctus". Wiktionary, the free dictionary. 21 January 2024.
- ^ Faust, Lynn Frierson (2017). Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 978-0-8203-4872-8.
- ^ a b Lloyd, J.E. (1966). "Studies on the flash communication system in Photinus fireflies" (PDF). University of Michigan Miscellaneous Publications. 130: 1 - 95. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
Further reading
edit- Green, J. W. (1956). "Revision of the Nearctic species of Photinus (Lampyridae: Coleoptera)" (PDF). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. Fourth Series. 28: 561–613. ISSN 0068-547X.
- Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2007). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 4: Elateroidea - Derodontoidea - Bostrichoidea - Lymexyloidea - Cleroidea - Cucujoidea. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-8788757675.