I started working on fireflies in the 1960s on the Australian fauna and then spread my wings to address a much wider area ranging from India through China Japan the Philippines to New Guinea and the Pacific islands of Fiji. I concentrate on the subfamily Luciolinae as this is the only group in Australia and New Guinea and contains some of the most spectacular flashing fireflies. Happy to try to identify species from my defined area as long as they are Luciolinae (look at the end of the abdomen in a male and if there is no further segment after the light organ you will probably have a Luciolinae male). My prime field is insect taxonomy. My website below is often updated and I aim to have more and more information available about our own fauna, but I can only do this with your help.

Check out LesleyBallantyne.com for profiles of Australian fireflies