Common Name
Twice-wounded firefly
Scientific Name
Photinus bivulnerus
Recent Synonyms
Ellychnia bivulnerus
Adult Male Size
7.5-8.5 mm
Diet
Unknown, but likely snails and slugs.
Firefly Atlas Category
Focal species
Conservation
Reason(s) For Firefly Atlas Focal Species Designation
Reliably identifiable, Data deficient, Suspected population loss
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.Data Deficient (DD)
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 currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends (GU) Nationally currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends (SU) Not yet assessed in Arizona (SNR)
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
Habitat loss and degradation are likely the main threats to this firefly, although climate change and associated drought are of growing concern. This species has been recorded very few times, and it is unclear if it remains extant at previously recorded sites in the Huachuca and Pajarito Mountains. It has not been observed at the Sycamore Canyon locality since several large oak trees were removed from its habitat prior to 2020.
Location
Distribution
USA
Arizona
Details
This species is known only from the Madrean Sky Islands of southern Arizona.
Habitat
Oak-pine woodland habitats from 4,000 to 6,000 ft. in elevation. The Sycamore Canyon locality in Cochise County, where this species may be extirpated, is described as a dry slope in young oak woodlands.
Behavior
Activity Period
Based on the few known observations, adults are active from July through August.
Flash Pattern
This is a daytime dark firefly species that likely uses pheromones to find a mate. It does not flash.
Sources
Fallon, C. & Cicero, J. 2021. Ellychnia bivulnerus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T164013810A166771253. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T164013810A166771253.en. Accessed on 30 May 2025.
Walker, A. 2024. Guide to the fireflies of the Southwest. New Mexico BioPark Society. Available at https://www.fireflyatlas.org/learn/firefly-publications.
