Photinus pyralis, known by the common name

Common name

A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...

s common eastern firefly and big dipper firefly, is the most common species of firefly

Firefly

Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies...

 in North America

North America

North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...

. This organism is sometimes incorrectly classified as Photuris pyralis, which likely results from mistaking the similar sounding genus Photuris

Photuris

Photuris may refer to:*Photuris , a genus of beetles containing several species of firefly*Photuris , a computer networking session key management protocol...

.

The species' common name refers to the characteristic flight of the male, which flies in a J-shaped trajectory, lighting on the upswing.

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.

External links

• Bugguide with details of Photinus pyralis