Beetles of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name:
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View LAMPYRIDAE Members: Sole representative of Ellychnia in NC 58 NC Records

Ellychnia corrusca - Winter Firefly


Photo by: Vin Stanton
Taxonomy
Family: LAMPYRIDAE Subfamily: Lampyrinae                                                             
Species Status: Probably belongs to a complex of several species (Evans, 2014; Faust, 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Evans (2014)Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalist                                                              
Comments: The pronotum is dark centrally, bordered by pink crescents followed by an outer yellow edge. The elytra are dark and possess three to four indistinct longitudinal ridges. Fine hairs on the elytra produce a greenish or golden tint, depending on the light (Evans, 2014; Faust, 2017).
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 9-18 mm (Faust, 2017)
Structural Features: The first antennomere is longer than the third; the second is short and is long as wide (Evans, 2014)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥
 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) <
 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)
Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is associated with large hardwood trees but occurs in both closed-canopy forests and open parklands where trees may be fairly isolated.
Diet: Adults feed on sap and flower nectar (Rooney and Lewis, 2000)
Observation Methods: This species is diurnal and does not produce a flash (larvae can glow). Individuals can be found during the day by searching tree trunks.
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology: Adults are active in the winter and spring, when most other species of fireflies are not present. Our sole record from the summer comes from an observation made at a high elevation site in the mountains.
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S4S5
State Protection: As with other North Carolina insects, no state laws provide them any protection. Permits must be obtained, however, to collect them in State Parks and other nature preserves
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Ellychnia corrusca - Winter Firefly

Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Haywood Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J. A. Anderson
Yancey Co.
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Recorded by: L. Amos
Vance Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
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Recorded by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: T. DeSantis
Camden Co.
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