May Fireflies
Photinus corruscus
Winter Firefly
Common
The Winter Firefly is a chunky day-active firefly, and you might see it in March, April, or May hanging out on the sunny side of a large tree in the woods, or maybe flying around looking for a mate. These fireflies do not flash, and it’s thought that they find a mate using pheromones.
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.
Photuris quadrifulgens
Spring 4-Flasher
Common
Look for Spring 4-Flashers flying about 3 feet over the grass in agricultural areas, meadows, or old fields, starting in late April. You can identify them by their 4 slow flashes in a flash train that lasts about 2 seconds. There will be another train of 4 flashes after about 4 seconds of darkness. Spring 4-Flashers fly about 1.5 to 2.5 hours after sunset.
Pyractomena angulata
Say's Firefly
Common
Say’s Firefly can be found fairly late at night, 1 to 3 hours after sunset, in and near forests. They fly high, at least 6 feet above the ground or in the treetops. They have a fairly long, flickering orange flash that appears to be angled diagonally as they fly upward or downward, with 2 to 4 seconds in between flashes.
Pyractomena borealis
Spring Treetop Flasher
Common
April is the time to start going out at night and looking up! Starting late March and going into May, the Spring Treetop Flashers are flying and flashing in the treetops. They are the earliest firefly to flash in the spring! Flashing starts 30 to 90 minutes after sunset. Look for a single, warm yellow flash, repeating every 2 to 3 seconds.
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 consimilis
Cattail Flash-Train Firefly
Uncommon
Found in marshy areas or near streams or riverbanks, the Cattail Flash-Train Firefly flies slowly 3 to 6 feet above the ground and flashes with 4 to 9 pulses in a “flash train” that lasts about 2 seconds. Then it goes dark for 9 to 12 seconds before flashing again.
Photuris divisa
Double-Flash Photuris
Uncommon
Another species with a double flash, the Double-Flash Photuris flies very low, 1 to 2 feet above vegetation, and has a flash pattern very similar to the Double Cousin Firefly, half a second in between 2 quick pulses, with 4 to 5 seconds of dark before another set of pulses. Double-Flash Photuris will be out later, starting 15 to 20 minutes after sunset, and habitat is fields, roadsides, and prairies. If you can catch one, you will see a uniquely divided central bar on its yellow pronotum and no red.
Photuris missouriensis
Prairie Train Firefly
Uncommon
​Prairie Train Fireflies can be found in a variety of habitats, including fields, marshes, and near streams. These “fast flashers” are active about 20 minutes after sunset for 1 to 2 hours. Their flash pattern is a continued, intermittently broken chain of 4 to 16 quick flashes that are 1 to 2.5 seconds apart.
Photuris tremulans
Christmas Lights
Uncommon
Christmas Lights can be difficult to distinguish from other fireflies with similar flashes. They have a fairly unique long green flickering flash that is half a second to 1 second long, with 4 seconds in between. However, they also have a short single flash, with 2 to 3 seconds in between. They fly low in open areas near fencerows and trees or higher up in the trees. Look for them 45 minutes after sunset and later starting in late May.
Pyractomena dispersa
Marsh Flicker
Uncommon
​Marsh Flickers can be found in wet areas such as swamps, marshes, and wet fields. They are believed to be widespread, but possibly in decline because of habitat loss. More information about populations is desperately needed. Marsh Flicker males fly low, giving a single, faint yellow-orange flickering flash or possibly a stronger single flash. The flash repeats every 3 to 7 seconds. Look for them 35 minutes after sunset for about 2 hours.
Phausis inaccensa
Shadow Ghost
Rare
Shadow Ghosts are rarely seen, so you need to be looking for them! Both males and females are tiny (4 - 6 mm), about the size of a grain of rice. Males fly in forests about 40 to 60 minutes after sunset in April, May, and June, but they're hard to see because they have no lanterns and they don't flash or glow. Look for a steady green glow coming from the ground, and you will have found a female Shadow Ghost. The females are larviform, which means that they look like a larva.
Phausis luminosa
Luminous Ghost
Rare
Luminous Ghosts are similar to Shadow Ghosts - they are tiny and the females are believed to be larviform. However, the males have lanterns on their abdomen, so they likely flash or glow. Not much is known about these fireflies! They likely are active in April and May. They were described in Arkansas and Oklahoma many years ago, but there have been no recent sightings.
Photinus punctulatus
Punctate Firefly
Rare
The Punctate Firefly is a rare species known only from the Midwest. We have one historical record from Hempstead County in Arkansas. Not much is known about this firefly, but it could be active starting in late April and into the summer. Look for it at night flying 3 to 6 feet over the ground in lawns and meadows, over long grass. This species is a “fast flasher,” with males displaying single quick yellow flashes about 1 second apart.
Photinus tenuicinctus
Ozark Spark
Rare
The Ozark Spark has only been found in northern Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is very similar to the Punctate Firefly, but flashes are a little slower, with 1.5 to 2 seconds in between. Not much is known about habitat, but look for them in forests and shaded lawns, starting 20 to 25 minutes after sunset.
Photuris walldoxeyi
Cypress Firefly
Rare
Only found in cypress and tupelo swamps, the Cypress Firefly was identified for the first time in Arkansas just a few years ago! They have a very unique flash pattern, with 4 to 9 fast pulses followed by a 1-second glow. There are 7 to 12 seconds between the flash sequence. Look for them in May and June starting 35 to 45 minutes after sunset.
Pyractomena palustris
Marsh Diver
Rare
Like the Marsh Flicker, the Marsh Diver lives in wet areas such as swamps, marshes, and wet fields. Scientists don’t know much about these fireflies or their distribution, so getting more data is critically important. It may be challenging to know if you’re seeing a Marsh Diver or a Marsh Flicker, since they could both be active in the same habitat and the same time of year, starting late April. Both species have a single flash and fly low to the ground, but the Marsh Diver tends to have a crescendo flash - starting faint and getting brighter towards the end – and it dives downward during the flash. Also, if you are able to catch one, you might be able to see some physical differences. The Marsh Diver has black marks on the sides of its pronotum (head shield), while the Marsh Flicker does not, and the Marsh Flicker has darker elytra (wing covers).