The Diurnal firefly, this firefly or beetle, is around 10-14 mm long. You can point it out by its two orange stripes on its head. Diurnal Fireflies have black everywhere on them, so they can blend in with the damp soil and dirt. The way you can prove that it is a Diurnal Firefly is that they lack the light organ, and is often large.

Unlike other fireflies these specific kind of firefly is diurnal, or not nocturnal. Plus the Diurnal Firefly has no light organs. They do well in their habitats because of the water always near they can get all the water they need for mating seasons. These fireflies are found in all North America except for the Pacific Northwest. But you really can find them in many more places.

The Diurnal Fireflies population is about 12 or 14 North American species. Plus their population is also growing. They have a role in the food web is that they eat leafs and frogs mostly eat them! Some don’t even eat and some eat smaller bugs and pollen. They usually eat before they begin mating season. They capture their prey by cornering them at the snap and eat! They compete with frogs and bees and mostly other fireflies.

Frogs, they are the ones that eat these Diurnal Fireflies. They don’t usually eat them every time they are spotted by the frogs. One thing stood out the most to me that I learned about this bug wich is that unlike other fireflies they don’t have any light organs. So that means that they cant communicate with other fireflies.

In conclusion this bug, the Diurnal Firefly has such unique qualities. It, to me, is the most unique firefly ever! Mainly because they stay out in the day, not at night. But they do have to watch out more because they are on the ground and predators can get them easier and faster. So, this is all about the Diurnal Firefly or Ellychnia Corrusca.

Author: Taffany K.
Date published: 1/13

Sources: www.insectsofwestvirginia.net/b/ellychnia-corrusca.html, www.etomology.valberta.ca/searching_species_details.php?s=5428, thebuggeek.com/2010/03/24/what-are-you-doing-out-of-bed/, http://bugguide.net/node/view/4867#id.

Picture credit goes to Tom Murray.