Beetles of North Carolina
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Scientific Name: Common Name:
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View LAMPYRIDAE Members:
Members of Pyractomena:
9 NC Records

Pyractomena borealis - No Common Name



Photo by: L. Amos

Photo by: Mark Basinger

Photo by: Mark Basinger
Taxonomy
Family: LAMPYRIDAE Subfamily: Lampyrinae                                                             
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: BugGuide, Wikipedia, GBIF   iNaturalist                                                              
Comments: The pronotum has a black edge and a prominent central dark triangular mark, outwardly bordered by pink (Faust, 2017). The elytra are dark and very narrowly edged with pale yellow. Males have two pale lanterns and the sides of the last abdominal segment (posterior to the lanterns) has two pale patches. The males produce a warm yellow flash, lasting about a quarter second and given at 2-3 second intervals at 60-69 F (Faust, 2017). Double flashes are also occasionally produced.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 14-22 mm (Faust, 2017)
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 is a forest species, inhabiting both hardwood and mixed stands (Faust, 2017). Larvae pupate in bark crevices, with large diameter tuliptrees, oaks, and hickories frequently used, with the same individual trees regularly used year after year.
Diet:
Observation Methods: Adults dwell mainly up in the canopy but larvae and pupae can be found from 3-10' above the ground during the winter (Faust, 2017).
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology:
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S3S5
State Protection:
Comments:

Photo Gallery for Pyractomena borealis

Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
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Recorded by: L. Amos
Warren Co.
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Recorded by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
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