Photuris billbrowni
This record describes Photuris billbrowni (species). Recorded family: Lampyridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Flash Pattern: weak 1 sec double flash The FP is a pair of short flashes emitted so rapidly that they appear to be a hitched single flash; this FP is emitted at variable intervals averaging 1.0 to 1.8 second at temperatures near 28°/82° Type Locality: Real Co., Texas, Rt 86, 6 mi s Leakey nr Buffalo Crk. ... 1 mi N of picnic area. The specific epithet is tribute to a teacher and friend at Cornell, Professor William L. Brown, who taught Evolutionary Biology from the perspective of someone who had spent many years thinking about the subject and its problems during a life’s study of ants.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Elateroidea
- Family
- Lampyridae (Fireflies)
- Subfamily
- Photurinae
- Genus
- Photuris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
a variety of both damp and dry habitats. Whether some of these sites of adult activity were suitable for larval development or were only sexual arenas may be of special interest; some sites seemed to be exceedingly dry and some may be subject to occasional or seasonal violent flooding. Arenas noted in very dry sites were often within 100 yards of a wet or dry river/stream channel.
Geographic Range
sc TX, above and just below the Balcones Escarpment
Seasonal Activity
June-July ,(BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Photuris billbrowni Lloyd, 2018
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Photuris billbrowni. 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.
Photos of Photuris billbrowni (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Photuris billbrowni
What is Photuris billbrowni?
Photuris billbrowni is a species in the family Lampyridae, within the order Coleoptera.
How do you identify Photuris billbrowni?
Flash Pattern: weak 1 sec double flash The FP is a pair of short flashes emitted so rapidly that they appear to be a hitched single flash; this FP is emitted at variable intervals averaging 1.0 to 1.8 second at temperatures near 28°/82°
Where is Photuris billbrowni found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | a variety of both damp and dry habitats. Whether some of these sites of adult activity were suitable for larval development or were only sexual arenas may be of special interest; some sites seemed to be exceedingly dry and some may be subject to occasional or seasonal violent flooding. Arenas noted in very dry sites were often within 100 yards of a wet or dry river/stream channel. |
| Range | sc TX, above and just below the Balcones Escarpment |
When is Photuris billbrowni active?
Photuris billbrowni: seasonal activity - June-July ,(BG data).