Non-luminescent
Guides
Ellychnia
dark firefly, diurnal firefly
Ellychnia is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) containing approximately 24 species found across the United States. Unlike most fireflies, adults are diurnally active and lack bioluminescent organs, instead using chemical signals for mate recognition. Adults are characterized by black bodies with distinctive rose-colored markings on the pronotum. Larvae inhabit rotting logs in moist terrestrial environments.
Ellychnia captiosa
dark firefly
Ellychnia captiosa is a species of dark firefly in the family Lampyridae. Unlike bioluminescent fireflies, members of the genus Ellychnia lack light-producing organs and are active during daylight hours. The species was described by Kenneth Fender in 1970. Dark fireflies represent a distinct ecological guild within the Lampyridae, having secondarily lost the nocturnal signaling behavior characteristic of most fireflies.
Ellychnia hatchi
dark firefly
Ellychnia hatchi is a species of dark firefly in the family Lampyridae, first described by Fender in 1962. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Photinus hatchi in some taxonomic databases, though it remains listed under Ellychnia in others. Dark fireflies of the genus Ellychnia are non-luminescent as adults, lacking the light-producing organs characteristic of most fireflies. The species is known from North America.
Pyropyga nigricans
Dark Firefly
Pyropyga nigricans is a species of dark firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. Unlike many fireflies, it does not produce bright bioluminescent flashes. The species is widespread across North America, Central America, and central Europe, and is often the most common firefly in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Colorado Front Range. Adults are active during summer months and are frequently encountered in grassy areas near water sources.