Common Name
Florida firefly, Everglades brownwing firefly
Scientific Name
Photuris floridana
Recent Synonyms
Photuris brunnipennis floridana
Adult Male Size
11 mm
Diet
Unknown
Firefly Atlas Category
Lost species
The Florida firefly is a rare species endemic to the dense hammock forests and marshes of southern Florida. It is known from only a few collection sites and has not been observed since the 1960s. Threats to this species are not well documented, but probably include habitat degradation, light pollution, and sea level rise.
Conservation
Status
IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological species, maintained collectively by scientists worldwide.N/A
NatureServe
The NatureServe conservation status ranks use a standardized methodology to assess the extinction risk of species, with a focus on the US and Canada. State wildlife agencies and natural heritage programs use these ranks to prioritize species for conservation actions.Globally possibly extinct (GH) Presumed extirpated in Florida (SH)
Species of Greatest Conservation Need Lists
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are lists of species included in State Wildlife Action Plans, identifying animals and plants that need the most conservation attention and resources at the state and region level.None
US Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act is a United States law that provides legal protections to species that are officially listed as endangered or threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.N/A
Threats
Threats to this species are not well documented, but habitat loss and degradation, light pollution, and sea level rise are all likely threats. It has not been reported since the 1960s, but it is unclear if this is because the species is extirpated, or due to lack of survey efforts.
Location
Distribution
USA
Florida
Details
The Florida firefly is endemic to South Florida, where it has been observed in Dade and Monroe Counties. Documented localities include Royal Palm Park, Pine Island, Pineland Trail, and Paradise Key.
Habitat
This species has been observed in dense hammock forests and marshes.
Behavior
Activity Period
Adults of this species may be active year-round.
Flash Pattern
Males fly low to the ground among palmettos, emitting short, sharp flashes, often delivered in groups of five, every half a second.
Sources
Lloyd, J. E. 2018. A naturalist’s long walk among shadows: of North American Photuris – patterns, outlines, silhouettes… echoes. Self-published, Gainesville, FL, USA. 477 pp.
Walker, A. 2021. Photuris floridana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T164045884A166771543. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T164045884A166771543.en. Accessed on 26 March 2026.
Walker, A., and R.L. Gundy. 2025. Photuris floridana: Everglades Brownwing Firefly. NatureServe Explorer. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.116574/Photuris_floridana. Accessed on 26 March 2026.
