Fireflies
English
Fireflies are flying insects best known for their ability to produce light at the tip of the abdomen. These beetles are usually 4 to 18 mm long, with females often larger than males.
Despite their name, these insects are actually beetles. Like other beetles, they have hardened forewings called elytra that protect the body. In most fireflies, the elytra are brown to black and often marked with yellow or orange.
Beneath the elytra is a second pair of wings, thin and membranous, that allows the insect to fly. In several firefly species, females have no wings at all, or only very short wings.
To date, more than 2,600 species have been identified worldwide. Around 20 species are found in Quebec.
