Indiana State Insect

Say’s Firefly (common name)
Pyractomena angulata Say (scientific name)

Overview

Named after Thomas Say, who described 1,400 new species of insects and is considered the father of American entomology, this small flying beetle is native to Indiana. It is one of 30 different types of fireflies in the state and is generally black in color with yellow and red patches. Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles whose heads are hidden by a hard shield of exoskeleton. They produce light in special cells at the end of their abdomens that contain a substance called "luciferin." The firefly uses this photo-luminescence during its mating period.

Close-up

STATUS

Unofficial (Proposed)

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Wing span: 1 in (2.5 cm)
Larvae: Also known as "glow worms," firefly larvae are light brown grubs that can glow later in their life cycles.

LIFESPAN

One year

HABITAT

Moist fields and forests. "Glow worms" are most frequently found in damp areas such as along ponds and streams.
Range: Indiana
Flight period: June to July
Conservation status: Least concern

BEHAVIOR

Following mating, females lay up to 200 eggs in moist soil. Larvae then overwinter as pupae and emerge in the spring as flying beetles. Male fireflies will flash at night in certain patterns and receptive females will respond with particular corresponding patterns.

DIET

Adults: Plant pollen and nectar
Larvae: Other insects, snails, and slugs

TRIVIA

• Also known as "lightning bugs," fireflies are very popular insects in the United States. On warm summer nights children try to catch them in their hands.
• The song "Glow Worm," sung by the Mills Brothers in the 1950s, was a number one hit.
• The poem "Fireflies in the Garden" by Robert Frost describes the insect as emulating stars: "though they never equal stars in size, and they were never really stars at heart."

Click to enlarge an image

Pair of Fireflies

Magnified Firefly

Glowing Fireflies at Dusk

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Family:	Lampyridae
Genus:	Pyractomenae
Species:	P. angulata Say

Author: World Trade Press