Common Name:
Firefly
Scientific Name:
Pyropyga nigricans
Unique Qualities:
The firefly is a long and soft-bodied beetle, about 4.2 to 8.5 mm in length. It has a yellowish-green organ near the end of the abdomen that allows it to produce light. The flashing light of fireflies is used mainly to attract a mate of the same species, and in some rare cases to attract other species to be eaten!
Can be Seen:
Fireflies can be seen across southern Canada, from British Columbia to Quebec.
Likes to Hang Out:
This species likes damp places in meadows or lawns and at the edge of woods or streams.
Likes to Eat:
Both the adults and larvae feed on smaller insects and snails. They inject a toxic substance that paralyzes their prey, and they suck out the liquefied body contents.
Status:
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) does not have a listing for the firefly. This means that the species is healthy, or it has not been counted yet.
