Despite their name - and the alternate name lightningbugs - fireflies are neither flies (Order
Diptera) nor bugs (Order Hemiptera) but are beetles (Order Coleoptera). Adult fireflies have an
elongate-oval body form and are slightly flattened. Their forewings (wing covers) are generally
dark gray or brown and relatively soft compared to most beetles. The prothorax is broad and
plate-like, concealing most of the head, and is usually edged with yellow, red, or orange. Sizes
of most species range from 10-15 mm; Pyropyga minuta is a smaller species. Among the
luminescent species capable of producing light flashes, the tip of the abdomen is yellow to
yellow-green.