Pyrophorus (also known as fire beetles) is a genus of click beetle (family Elateridae). They are one of several genera in the tribe Pyrophorini, all of which are bioluminescent. Their bioluminescence is similar to that of another group of beetles, the fireflies, although click beetles do not flash, but remain constantly glowing (though they can control the intensity; for example, they become brighter when touched by a potential predator). They have two luminescent spots at the posterior corners of the pronotum, and another brighter light organ on the most-anterior surface of the ventral abdomen. This light organ is even brighter and can only be seen when in flight. Bioluminescent click beetles are found throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate America. Species from Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Cuba are now in different genera in the tribe Pyrophorini, such as Deilelater and Ignelater.BugGuide
Adult Pyrophorus beetles feed on pollen and sometimes small insects, such as aphids or scale insects. Their larvae feed on various plant materials and invertebrates, including the larvae of other beetles. Eggs are luminous and are deposited either on or in the soil. Mature larvae and pupae are also luminous. They grow slowly and pupate after an uncertain period of time, but perhaps several years after hatching.
Pyrophorus nyctophanus larvae live in tunnels in the outer layers of termite mounds on the cerrado of Brazil. During summertime they glow at night, attracting prey in the form of other insects.
List of species Pyrophorus angustus Blanchard, 1843 Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus canaliculatus Eschscholtz, 1829 Pyrophorus carinatus Eschscholtz, 1829 Pyrophorus clarus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus cucujus Illiger, 1807 Pyrophorus dulcifer Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus evexus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus expeditus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus foveolatus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus ignigenus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus indistinctus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus indulcatus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus ingens Costa, 1972 Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus limbatus Candèze, 1863 Pyrophorus lucidus Candèze, 1863 Pyrophorus magnus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus melitus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus mellifluus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus mutatus Candèze, 1893 Pyrophorus nigropunctatus Drapiez, 1820 Pyrophorus noctilucus (Linnaeus, 1758) Pyrophorus phosphorescens Laporte, 1840 Pyrophorus pisticus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus plagiophthalmus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus punctatissimus Blanchard, 1843 Pyrophorus pyropoecilus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus strabus Germar, 1841 Pyrophorus stupendus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus tuberculifer Eschscholtz, 1829 Pyrophorus validus Costa, 1972 Pyrophorus veriloquus Costa, 1972
Synonyms Pyrophorus nyctophanus Germar, 1841 = P. phosphorescens .
Excluded taxa Pyrophorus luciferus Eschscholtz ... nomen nudum.
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Biolib