Life of Himebotaru(Luciola Parvula)

Male Himebotaru

Himebotaru is a firefly indigenous to Japan. It is not similar to Genjibotaru or Heikebotaru, and lives in terrestrial place from the womb to the tomb. Himebotaru flashes like yellow electronic flash, so we can distinguish it from Genjibotaru or Heikebotaru by pattern or color.

Female Himebotaru

Female Himebotaru is not the same as male outside, and the biggest difference is that it cannot fly due to the degeneration of back wing. So they signal male by flashing. After that, they spawn in several batches at intervals, during which they seldom flash.

Himebotaru (1st instar larva)

Himebotaru is yellow larva shortly after birth,but becomes black or brown. Himebotaru larva eat snails Tokusaokachojigai, Namigiseru and so on. They dislike lights, so they hide themselves under moss or soil during daylight. But they are active at nighttime.

Himebotaru (Last instar larva)

Himebotaru vary in size, large type and small type, and live all over Japan. There are some differences between large type and small type. This picture shows large type one that live in Ikeda City, Osaka. It is black and longer than 10mm.

Himebotaru pupa

Himebotaru larva which grew sufficiently for metamorphosis go underground and become pupa. We can easily know sex because female don't have back wing. Being stimulated, Himebotaru pupa flash strongly just like spawn or larva.