Most firefly larvae are found in rotting wood or other forest litter
or on the edges of streams and ponds at night. Some Asian species are fully aquatic (due
to the presence of tracheal gills) and live underwater, feeding on aquatic snails. The
larvae of several tropical firefly species in the genus Pyractomena are strictly arboreal,
feed on arboreal snails and pupate while hanging under living leaves - similar to a
butterfly chrysalis (Lloyd 1991).
Adult fireflies are found in the same general habitats as their larvae. Generally
speaking, the highest number of firefly species are found in warm, humid areas of the
world. Some species, however, are found in very arid regions of the world. In these arid
regions, larvae and adults can be readily found following rains. The greatest number of
firefly species (highest species diversity) are found in tropical Asia and Central and
South America.
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Go East, young firefly! If you live in the United States, west of about the middle of Kansas, you are
not apt to have the flashing type of fireflies in your area. Although some isolated
sightings of luminous fireflies have been reported from time to time from regions of the
western U.S., fireflies that glow are typically not found west of Kansas. The reason for
this phenomenon is not known.
Many firefly species tend to be found around water such as
ponds, streams, marshes or even depressions, ditches, etc., that may retain moisture
longer then surrounding areas. However, fireflies are also found in very dry regions of
the world as well. |