Photuris is a genus of fireflies (beetles of the family Lampyridae). These are the femme fatale lightning bugs of North America. This common name refers to a behavior of the adult females of these predatory beetles; they engage in aggressive mimicry, imitating the light signals of other firefly species' females to attract, kill, and eat the males. Their flashing bioluminescent signals seem to have evolved independently and eventually adapted to those of their prey, mainly unrelated Lampyrinae, such as Photinus (rover fireflies) or Pyractomena.[1]

Black Firefly, Lucidota atra (by me)

I did a live-drawing demo with a teen group yesterday, which are always really fun to do. I almost always draw Mae for these programs, because I can draw her in my sleep, which means I can talk at the same time. To change her up this round, I put her in uniform. As I was finishing her up at home, I realized this must be a moment between books 1 & 2, where she’s side-eyeing certain members of Lampyrinae. Bold move, Mae, high five.  

Photuris (genus)

Photuris is a sort of fireflies (insects of the family Lampyridae) wherein are the femme fatale fireflies of North America. This normal name alludes to the way that the females of these ruthless insects emulate the light signals of other firefly species' guys, to pull in, murder, and eat them. Their glimmering "lightning bug" signals appear to have developed freely and in the end adjusted to those of their prey, predominantly inconsequential Lampyrinae like Photinus (wanderer fireflies) or Pyractomena.

Black Firefly, Lucidota atra (by me)

Common Eastern Firefly, Photinus pyralis (by me)

Common Eastern Firefly, Photinus pyralis (by me)

This warm weather this morning also brought out this Pyractomena firefly larva (by me)