Beetles of South Central Pennsylvania

Photuris pensylvanica, known by the common names Pennsylvania firefly, lightning bug, and (in its larval state) glowworm, is a species of firefly from the United States and Canada. It is also widely known under the Latin name Photuris pennsylvanica, although the original spelling, with one "n", was common in Latinized names of the time and remains the valid name. less ↑

Melanotus communis is a species of click beetle. The adult beetle is reddish-brown in color, and is about 13 millimetres (0.51 in) long. The egg is white in color, and is about 0.3 mm (0.012 in) long. The larva is a short-legged wireworm. It is a pale yellow to reddish-brown in color, and is 21–25 mm (0.83–0.98 in) long when mature. The pupa is white in color, and is about the same size as an adult. less ↑

The goldenrod soldier beetle or Pennsylvania leatherwing, Chauliognathus pensylvanicus, is a species of soldier beetle (Cantharidae). The specific epithet pensylvanicus is Latin for "of Pennsylvania". "The spelling with one n was in common use at the time (de Geer says in the description that the specimen was sent to him from "Pensylvanie"), so the species name based on it can't be corrected under the rules governing scientific names." The species is native to North America. less ↑

Photinus pyralis, known by the common names common eastern firefly and big dipper firefly, is the most common species of firefly in North America.P. pyralis is a flying and light producing beetle with a light organ on the ventral side of its abdomen. This organism is sometimes incorrectly classified as Photuris pyralis, which likely results from mistaking the similar sounding genus Photuris. The Photuris female may also lure a Photinus pyralis to be eaten to obtain... less ↑