Pyractomena

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Elateroidea
Family: Lampyridae
Subfamily: Lampyrinae
Tribe: Cratomorphini
Genus: Pyractomena

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pyractomena: //ˌpaɪˌɹækˈtɒmɪnə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Pyractomena angulata m & f by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pyractomena angulata 48329068 by skitterbug. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pyractomena angulata 81978335 by psweet. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pyractomena angulata by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pyractomena angulata 7814796 by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Lightning Bug - Pyractomena angulata?, Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Pyractomena is a genus of fireflies in the family Lampyridae, characterized by its strong apical pronotal angle and the obfuscate appearance of the anterior pronotal half, primarily located across North America, with variations of species mainly in the southwestern U.S.

Physical Characteristics

Strong apical pronotal angle; anterior pronotal half appears obfuscate.

Identification Tips

Not to be confused with Pyractonema, which is a neotropical genus.

Habitat

Scattered localities across North America, particularly in the southwestern United States; primarily found in habitats that support damp conditions.

Distribution

Mainly across North America, with more concentrated occurrences in the southwestern United States and scattered localities west of Kansas.

Diet

Larvae are known to be predatory, while adults are generally believed to feed on plant materials or do not feed as adults.

Life Cycle

Details on the specific life cycle stages of Pyractomena are not provided in the text.

Reproduction

Reproductive behaviors typical of fireflies, but specific details are not provided in the text.

Predators

Potential natural predators include various insectivorous animals, but specific examples are not detailed in the text.

Conservation Status

No specific information provided on conservation status.

Ecosystem Role

As predators in their larval stage, they may help control populations of other insects.

Economic Impact

No specific economic impact information provided.

Cultural Significance

Fireflies, including those in the genus Pyractomena, are often culturally associated with warm evenings and summer nights.

Health Concerns

No health concerns directly associated with Pyractomena mentioned in the text.

Evolution

At least 20 described species in the genus Pyractomena, indicating a diverse evolutionary lineage within the Lampyridae family.

Similar Taxa

Pyractonema

Misconceptions

Often confused with the unrelated genus Pyractonema.