Cratomorphini

E. Olivier, 1911

fireflies

Genus Guides

3

Cratomorphini is a tribe of fireflies within Lampyrinae, established by E. Olivier in 1911. Members of this tribe are often relatively large-bodied compared to other lampyrids. The tribe includes several distributed primarily in the Americas, from temperate North America through the Neotropics. Some , particularly in the genus Pyractomena, exhibit flashing .

Pyractomena linearis by (c) Matthew Pintar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Pintar. Used under a CC-BY license.Pyractomena linearis by (c) Matthew Pintar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matthew Pintar. Used under a CC-BY license.Pyractomena angulata by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cratomorphini: /ˌkrætəˈmɔrfɪnaɪ/

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Images

Distribution

Primarily distributed in the Americas. North American representatives include Pyractomena. Neotropical distribution includes Mexico (Oaxaca, Campeche, Chiapas) and broader tropical regions, with Aspisoma occurring in the American tropics.

Diet

Larvae of many have been observed to feed on snails.

Behavior

Larvae of many climb trees. Some , particularly in Pyractomena, exhibit flashing .

Similar Taxa

  • Other Lampyrinae tribesCratomorphini is distinguished within Lampyrinae by morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic data; the tribe's status has been disputed and subject to recent molecular revision.

Sources and further reading