Pteroptyx
Sign in to savePteroptyx is a genus of fireflies in the subfamily Luciolinae found in Southeast Asia. It has long been noted for the ability to perform synchronous flashing, though not all species synchronize. These synchronizing species have been found on so-called 'firefly trees' and created a growing firefly-watching tour industry in some regions. Species of the genus have been identified in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
Article
6 sectionsContents
- Identification
- Taxonomy
- Ecology
- Human interaction
- Species
- References
Pteroptyx is a genus of fireflies in the subfamily Luciolinae found in Southeast Asia. It has long been noted for the ability to perform synchronous flashing, though not all species synchronize. These synchronizing species have been found on so-called 'firefly trees' and created a growing firefly-watching tour industry in some regions. Species of the genus have been identified in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
== Identification == The genus Pteroptyx was first proposed by Ernest Olivier in 1902 for Luciola-like species. He identified two species, Luciola malaccae and Luciola testacea, which were later reassigned to the Pteroptyx genus. Three subsequent species, P. tener, P. bearni, and P. valida were described by Olivier between 1907 and 1909. Much of the work revising the genera within Luciolinae has been done by Australian entomologist Lesley Ballantyne, beginning in 1970.