ColeopteraLampyridae – Fireflies

Photinus tanytoxus

This record describes Photinus tanytoxus (species). Recorded family: Lampyridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Photinus tanytoxus - Photinus tanytoxus — Contributed by Mike Quinn

3- Composite drawing ; pronotum showing dark coloration extending posteriorly along midline as found in some individuals of tanytoxus n. sp. and collustrans LeConte; [emphasis added] left elytron with sutural bead as in tanytoxus , right elytron with sutural bead as in collustrans . 3- Elytral sutural bead black in apical one-third to one-half --- P. TANYTOXUS Lloyd [emphasis added] Elytral sutural bead fulvous throughout----------------------------- P. COLLUSTRANS LeConte collected during May 1964 and April and May 1965 at Gainesville, Florida (33 males, 1 female), and 3.7 miles west of Gainesville on route 26 (Holotype, 64 males, 25 females).

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder: Polyphaga
Superfamily: Elateroidea
Family: Lampyridae (Fireflies)
Subfamily: Lampyrinae
Tribe: Lucidotini
Genus: Photinus

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

FL endemic

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Photinus tanytoxus Lloyd, 1966

About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group

Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Photinus tanytoxus. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.

Ecological role of the group

Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.

Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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