Phausis
Encyclopedia
Phausis is a genus
of firefly
beetles (family Lampyridae). These beetle
s are for the most part unimpressive in their appearance and behaviour, and thus have not drawn much study, and little is known about many of the species
. Species in this genus are at least known from Europe
and North America
. More than seven species occur in North America, ranging throughout much of the continent.
The genera Phausis and Lamprohiza are very similar and in need of revision; the delimitations between the two are not clear. Alternatively, Phausis may be paraphyletic and/or at least in part synonymous
with Lamprohiza. The genus is traditionally placed in the tribe
Photinini
of the Lampyrinae
, but at least the blue ghost firefly, Phausis reticulata
does not seem to be particularly close to this group (or Lamprohiza for that matter) and might not even belong in the subfamily Lampyrinae.
. A key characteristic distinguishing adult male Phausis from most other firefly genera is the presence of a minute glassy bead at the tip of each antenna
. Males have huge eyes.
Female Phausis, where known, are larviform
. For most North American species the females have not been discovered, possibly because they often live in burrows in the soil and are therefore not easily collected.
Most males are non-luminescent, while female Phausis (those that are known) do emit bioluminescence
in the form of a continuous glow. Males of the species Phausis reticulata
also emit a faint, constant glow.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of firefly
Firefly
Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies...
beetles (family Lampyridae). These beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
s are for the most part unimpressive in their appearance and behaviour, and thus have not drawn much study, and little is known about many of the species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. Species in this genus are at least known from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. More than seven species occur in North America, ranging throughout much of the continent.
The genera Phausis and Lamprohiza are very similar and in need of revision; the delimitations between the two are not clear. Alternatively, Phausis may be paraphyletic and/or at least in part synonymous
Synonym (taxonomy)
In scientific nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that is or was used for a taxon of organisms that also goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linnaeus was the first to give a scientific name to the Norway spruce, which he called Pinus abies...
with Lamprohiza. The genus is traditionally placed in the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Photinini
Photinini
The Photinini are a large tribe of fireflies in the subfamily Lampyrinae. Photinus pyralis is famous in biotechnology for its luciferase gene. This is sometimes employed as a marker gene; genetically modified organisms which contain it start to glow like the firefly when brought in contact with...
of the Lampyrinae
Lampyrinae
The Lampyrinae are a large subfamily of fireflies . The exact delimitation, and the internal systematics, are a matter of debate; for long this group was used as a "wastebin taxon" to hold any fireflies with insufficiently resolved relationships...
, but at least the blue ghost firefly, Phausis reticulata
Phausis reticulata
Phausis reticulata, commonly referred to as the "blue ghost" is a species of firefly found in the eastern and central United States. The species is common in the southern Appalachians, and can be seen in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as North Carolina's DuPont State Forest and Pisgah...
does not seem to be particularly close to this group (or Lamprohiza for that matter) and might not even belong in the subfamily Lampyrinae.
Description
Phausis males are small compared to many fireflies, ranging from about 3 to 8.5 mm (0.118110236220472 to 0.334645669291339 ). Most are brown to brown-black in colour and have transparent "window" spots in the front half of the pronotumProthorax
The prothorax is the foremost of the three segments in the thorax of an insect, and bears the first pair of legs. Its principal sclerites are the pronotum , the prosternum , and the propleuron on each side. The prothorax never bears wings in extant insects, though some fossil groups possessed...
. A key characteristic distinguishing adult male Phausis from most other firefly genera is the presence of a minute glassy bead at the tip of each antenna
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
. Males have huge eyes.
Female Phausis, where known, are larviform
Larviform female
Larviform female is biological phenomenon occurring in some species, where the females in the adult stage of metamorphosis resemble the larvae to various degrees. Typically, the female is wingless and generally larger than the male...
. For most North American species the females have not been discovered, possibly because they often live in burrows in the soil and are therefore not easily collected.
Most males are non-luminescent, while female Phausis (those that are known) do emit bioluminescence
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Its name is a hybrid word, originating from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light". Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring form of chemiluminescence where energy is released by a chemical reaction in...
in the form of a continuous glow. Males of the species Phausis reticulata
Phausis reticulata
Phausis reticulata, commonly referred to as the "blue ghost" is a species of firefly found in the eastern and central United States. The species is common in the southern Appalachians, and can be seen in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as North Carolina's DuPont State Forest and Pisgah...
also emit a faint, constant glow.
Selected species
- Phausis californica Fender, 1966
- Phausis dorothae Fender, 1961
- Phausis inaccensa LeConte, 1878
- Phausis luminosa Fender, 1966
- Phausis marina Fender, 1966
- Phausis nigra Hopping, 1937
- Phausis reticulataPhausis reticulataPhausis reticulata, commonly referred to as the "blue ghost" is a species of firefly found in the eastern and central United States. The species is common in the southern Appalachians, and can be seen in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as North Carolina's DuPont State Forest and Pisgah...
– blue ghost firefly - Phausis rhombica Fender, 1961
- Phausis riversi LeConte, 1885
- Phausis skelleyi Fender, 1961
- Phausis splendidula (Linnaeus, 1767)