Exposed and sclerotized labrum
Light organ
LAMPYRIDAE
Author: John F. Lawrence.
Classification
Suborder Polyphaga, Series Elateriformia, Superfamily Elateroidea.
Description
Antenae with 11 segments, filiform. Antennal insertions exposed. Visible portion of procoxa projecting bellow prosternum with the trochantin at least partly exposed. Procoxal cavity externally open and internally open. Mesocoxae contigous, with mesocoxal cavity laterally open. Tarsal formula 5-5-5. Numberof ventrites 6 without ventrites connate. Body length 3.8-12 mm. Soft-bodied, pubescent, often brightly colored. Head often concealed beneath expanded pronotum. Labrum sclerotized and freely articulated. Elytra usually complete, rarely shortened. Tarsi usually with lobe on 4. Antennal insertions usually close together, mandibles often so (not in Magnoculus). Abdominal light organs in many species.
Quick identification
This family and Cantharidae are very common in Central America and often confused with one another. Lampyridae are often distinguished from Cantharidae by having the head concealed beneath the pronotum and by light-producing organs (second figure), visible as light yellow areas, but some lampyrids have no light organs, and some cantharids have the head somewhat concealed. The sclerotized, articulated labrum (first figure) may also separate lampyrids from cantharids, as will the large eyes and approximate antennal insertions.
Genera occurring in Costa Rica
Lampyrinae: Aspisoma, Cratomorphus, Dodacles, Ellychnia, Lucernuta, Lucidota, Lucio, Lychnacris, Macroculus, Macrolampis, Ophoelis, Phaenolis, Photinus, Psilocladus, Pyractomena, Pyropyga...
Photurinae: Bicellonycha, Photuris, Pyrogaster....
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Light organ |
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