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Pyractomena borealis
Common Name: spring treetop flasher
Other Common Names: spring firefly, spring tree-top flasher
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Coleoptera > Lampyridae
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NB, NC, NH, NJ, NS, NY, OH, OK, ON, PA, QC, RI, SC, SK, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest. For Pyractomena borealis, the male flashing pattern is a single, golden-yellow flash that lasts approximately 0.25 seconds, and is repeated every two to three seconds. They are commonly seen flying in treetops.
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Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. Firefly adults do not regularly feed, but have occasionally been seen feeding on flower nectar, especially of milkweed plants.

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Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female. Fireflies can also be seen mating end to end. For Pyractomena borealis, males sometimes guard a female pupa and mate with her when she emerges from her pupal case.

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Egg laying
A female is seen laying eggs on or below the soil surface.

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Development Larvae
One or more larvae are seen moving about or at rest. For Pyractomena borealis, larvae are covered in mottled reddish-brown, armored segments and their body is tapered at both ends and glows with bioluminescence. They can be found on the ground or climbing tree trunks.

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Larvae feeding
One or more larvae are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. For Pyractomena borealis, larvae feed on snails, slugs, earthworms and other invertebrates.

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Pupae
One or more pupae are seen in a cocoon or shell (puparium). For Pyractomena borealis, pupae are dark in color with red spots and the larva's armored segments, and hang from tree trunks. Do not include empty pupal shells after the adult has emerged from them.

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Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

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Dead larvae
One or more dead larvae are seen.

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Method Individuals at a light
One or more individuals are seen at a light, whether flying or at rest.

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Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

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Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

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What do these phenophases look like?

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