August Fireflies
Photinus australis
Twilight Bush Baby
Common
Look for Twilight Bush Babies early, before sunset, in the summer in shrubby and open woodlands or wood margins. They fly low and have a single quick flash every 2 to 3 seconds. They fly about the same time of night as the very common Big Dippers, but Bush Babies are smaller with a bar instead of a dot on their pronotum (head shield).
Photinus macdermotti
Mr. Mac
Common
Starting in late May, Mr. Macs flash about 30 minutes before sunset, flying low above the ground in river valleys and forests near streams. They are one of the “double-flash” fireflies, so watch for 2 quick pulses with about 2 seconds in between the pulses, then another pair of pulses after about 4 seconds.
Photinus pyralis
Big Dipper
Common
The Big Dipper, also known as the Common Eastern Firefly, is our best-known firefly. This species is the one that people commonly see in their yards as evening approaches. They are easy to catch, flying low early in the evening and going higher as it gets later. You will see them even in areas that have some light pollution, such as suburbs.
Photuris lucicrescens
Big Scaries
Common
Look for Big Scaries after dark in the summer in forests and forest edges. They are a very large firefly, with size varying from about the width of a thumbnail to about the width of your thumb joint. They have a pronounced hunched back and visible stripes on their wing covers, or elytra. They have a distinctive flash pattern, a slow green crescendo flash lasting up to 2 seconds, getting brighter then stopping abruptly, with 4 to 5 seconds in between. The females often lure males of other species and eat them!
Photinus brimleyi
Sidewinder
Uncommon
Look for Sidewinders in forests shortly after sunset in the summer. They fly low and have a single quick flash, 1.5 to 2.5 seconds apart, that sometimes doubles back, giving the flash a jagged or fishhook pattern. Females are brachypterous, meaning they have tiny wings and can’t fly!
Photinus consanguineus
Double Cousin Firefly
Uncommon
Double Cousin Fireflies are very similar to Mr. Macs. In fact, they look identical. They also have a double flash, but it’s quicker, with only half a second in between the 2 pulses, then about 5 seconds of dark before another 2 pulses. They also fly pretty early, around sunset, and they fly low to the ground.
Photinus indictus
Silent Firefly
Uncommon
Look for Silent Fireflies during summer days in areas with tall grass. They are day-active, and from the top, they look similar to many flashing fireflies, so make sure you look at their abdomen. The Silent Firefly has no lanterns and doesn’t light up. They also look similar to another day-active firefly, Cook’s Firefly. To tell the difference, look very closely at the pygidium, the very last abdominal, or tail, segment. The pygidium of the Silent Firefly is yellow and squared off at the end, while the pygidium of Cook's Firefly is dark and rounded.
Photinus lineellus
Small-Lined Firefly
Rare
Although the Small-Lined Firefly has been seen primarily in Florida and along the Gulf Coast, there is a historical record of one here in Arkansas, in Washington County. It is a very small firefly, only about the size of a grain of rice. Habitat is unknown. Flash pattern is 1 to 3 short pulses with 2 to 3 seconds between. If you see one, please collect some data and report it! It is thought to appear in July and August, although timing is uncertain.