top of page
0
Gallery _CartView_Cart_Label (0)
Bioluminescent Insects
Research Subject
As a part of an Entomology club effort to increase participation in research. I am planning on starting a Firefly survey in Kentucky. Below are some firefly (and other bioluminescent insect) images I am collecting and compiling to create materials for this effort. I do not currently have great photos of the luminescence, that is my next photo goal.
Check Out The Gallery
Fireflies, Glow Worms, Lightning Bugs, etc.
Below is a Collection of images of Bioluminescent Insectrs. Feel free to peruse and if you are interested in purchasing them please do! It helps support me and this project.
Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.)
One of Colorado's only firefly species. The female is a bright pink larviform female, and produces a green glow. Unfortunately we have not collected a female of this species. One of the males, interestingly enough, was collected on an ant nest though. Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.) Male Firefly Beetle. The Bank Campground, Cañon City, Colorado USA.
Marsh Flicker Firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) Takes Flight White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.)
One of Colorado's only firefly species. The female is a bright pink larviform female, and produces a green glow. Unfortunately we have not collected a female of this species. One of the males, interestingly enough, was collected on an ant nest though. Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.) Male Firefly Beetle. The Bank Campground, Cañon City, Colorado USA.
Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.)
One of Colorado's only firefly species. The female is a bright pink larviform female, and produces a green glow. Unfortunately we have not collected a female of this species. One of the males, interestingly enough, was collected on an ant nest though. Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.) Male Firefly Beetle. The Bank Campground, Cañon City, Colorado USA.
Marsh Flicker Firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) on Grass at Night Black Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.) Male Firefly Beetle. The Bank Campground, Cañon City, Colorado USA.
One of Colorado's only firefly species. The female is a bright pink larviform female, and produces a green glow. Unfortunately we have not collected a female of this species. One of the males, interestingly enough, was collected on an ant nest though.
Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.)
One of Colorado's only firefly species. The female is a bright pink larviform female, and produces a green glow. Unfortunately we have not collected a female of this species. One of the males, interestingly enough, was collected on an ant nest though. Colorado lightning bug (Microphotus sp.) Male Firefly Beetle. The Bank Campground, Cañon City, Colorado USA.
Synchronous Firefly larva (Photinus carolinus) Inside Log. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennesee USA
Here is a photograph of the world famous synchronous firefly, but as a larva. This species is so spectactular because all the males flash in the same general period and stop flashing at the same time. I took this photograph during my work in the Great Smoky Mountains with Discover Life in America.
Marsh Flicker Firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) on Grass at Night Black Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
The dark firefly (lucidota autra) is found in almost all of the US. As an adult it does not glow, but the larva is capable of glowing and the lantern can be seen at the end of it's abodmen. This specimen was found dwelling within an ant nest.
Railroad Worm (Phengodides sp.) Larviform Female on moss.
Railroad worms are bioluminescent insects with interesting glow patterns on their body. This is a larviform adult female of the beetle, both larvae and females eat milipedes. The male adult looks much more like a regular beetle, but with antler like antennae for smelling out females.I took this photograph during my work in the Great Smoky Mountains with Discover Life in America.
Femme Fatale (Photuris sp.) Firefly Larva and Leaf. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Femme fatale fireflies (Photuris sp.) eat other fireflies. As adults, the females produce flashes that mimic other female fireflies to lure other species of firefly males to their deaths like a firefly mermaid. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Railroad Worm (Phengodides sp.) Face
Railroad worms are bioluminescent insects with interesting glow patterns on their body. This is a larviform adult female of the beetle, both larvae and females eat milipedes. The male adult looks much more like a regular beetle, but with antler like antennae for smelling out females.I took this photograph during my work in the Great Smoky Mountains with Discover Life in America.
Railroad Worm (Phengodides sp.) Larviform Female on Hand.
Railroad worms are bioluminescent insects with interesting glow patterns on their body. This is a larviform adult female of the beetle, both larvae and females eat milipedes. The male adult looks much more like a regular beetle, but with antler like antennae for smelling out females.I took this photograph during my work in the Great Smoky Mountains with Discover Life in America.
Railroad Worm (Phengodides sp.) Larviform Female on moss.
Railroad worms are bioluminescent insects with interesting glow patterns on their body. This is a larviform adult female of the beetle, both larvae and females eat milipedes. The male adult looks much more like a regular beetle, but with antler like antennae for smelling out females.I took this photograph during my work in the Great Smoky Mountains with Discover Life in America.
Railroad Worm (Phengodides sp.) Larva. Notterly Dam, Blairsville, Georgia USA
Railroad worm larva
Marsh Flicker Fireflies (Pyractomena dispersa) White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Fireflies (Pyractomena dispersa)
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) on Grass at Night Black Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Fireflies (Pyractomena dispersa) White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Fireflies (Pyractomena dispersa) White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Fireflies (Pyractomena dispersa) White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Marsh Flicker Firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) Takes Flight White Background. Morehead, Kentucky USA
Two male marsh flicker fireflies. The marsh flicker firefly (Pyractomena dispersa) is a firefly that is found throughout much of the eastern US. It comes out late April and can be seen throughout the month of May. This species apparently is also found out west (Colorado and Utah) where it is known as a Wiggle Dancer. The flash of this firefly is amber, and it has a flicker effect from several 'peaks' or short flashes close together. Morehead, Kentucky, USA
Dark firefly (Lucidota autra) larva and Aphaenogaster ant. Morehead, Kentucky USA
The dark firefly (lucidota autra) is found in almost all of the US. As an adult it does not glow, but the larva is capable of glowing and the lantern can be seen at the end of it's abodmen. This specimen was found dwelling within an ant nest.
Dark firefly (Lucidota autra) larva and Aphaenogaster ant. Morehead, Kentucky USA
The dark firefly (lucidota autra) is found in almost all of the US. As an adult it does not glow, but the larva is capable of glowing and the lantern can be seen at the end of it's abodmen. This specimen was found dwelling within an ant nest.
Glowing Fungus Gnat (Orfelia fultoni). Morehead, Kentucky USA
The bluest glow of any terrestrial organism is produced by this glowing fungus gnat, Orfeila fultoni. This photo also depicts the first record of this spectacularly displaying insect in Kentucky.
1/36
Gallery
bottom of page