| Scientific Name | Male - dorsal  Male - ventral  Click photos to enlarge. Discover Life in America scans. |
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| Phausis reticulata (Say) - ATBI Database: Specimen Records | |||||
| Common Name | |||||
| N/A | |||||
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | |
| Animalia | Arthropoda | Insecta | Coleoptera | Lampyridae | |
| Animals | Arthropods | Insects | Beetles | Fireflies | |
This tiny black firefly is common throughout the southeastern US and is known as the “blue ghost” because it does not flash but glows with an eerie blue or green light. The display lasts for 30-40 seconds with numerous individuals displaying over a large area and is repeated after a brief pause (see flash pattern below). The blue ghost begins displaying at full dark about 9:30 pm. The duration for display of this species in the Park has not been observed. Females of the blue ghost are white or pale yellow in color and lack wings.
Photographs:
Female  Click photo to enlarge. Photo by Charles Wilder. |
Flash patterns used by males to court females.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Text and Charts:
Adriean Mayor. 2006. National Park Service. Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Photographs:
Charles Wilder.
