Virginia
LIST: How many different species of firefly can be found in Virginia?
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — There are nearly 180 documented species of firefly in the United States and Canada, and you can find almost 30 of them lighting up Virginia’s nights.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, an international nonprofit with a focus on protecting invertebrates and their habitats, created a “Firefly Atlas” to document all things firefly.
This unique little beetle is reportedly a key member of food webs and can even be a great indicator of environmental health, according to the society.
The term “firefly” covers a few different kinds of insect — the flashing “lightningbug” many of us know, but also day-time dark fireflies who do not produce light and glow-worms.
According to the Xerces Society, the day-time fireflies use pheromones instead of light to communicate and the glow-worms’ females use light to attract males, which usually don’t light up, themselves.
Within the atlas, the Xerces Society lists all 176 species and subspecies of firefly within the U.S. and Canada. Of those 176 species and subspecies, 29 have been documented in Virginia.
Keep scrolling to learn a bit about each one.
Scientific Name
More Common Name(s)
Pyractomena dispersa
“Marsh flicker,” “wiggle dancer”
Photinus pyralis
“big dipper,” “common eastern firefly,” “J-stroke firefly”
Pyractomena angulata
“Say’s firefly,” “candle firefly,” “angled firefly”
Pyractomena borealis
“Spring treetop flasher,” “northern firefly”
Photinus consanguineus
“Double cousin”
Pyractomena marginalis
“Marginal firefly”
Lucidota atra
“Black firefly,” “woodland Lucy”
Photuris quadrifulgens
“Spring 4-flasher”
Photinus consimilis
“Cattail flash-train firefly”
Photuris lucicrescens
“July comets,” “big scaries,” “big-Lucy,” “great crescendo”
Photuris tremulans
“Christmas lights,” “confusing firefly”
Photinus corruscus
“Winter firefly”
Photinus ignitus
“Ignited firefly,” “delayed photinus firefly”
Lucidota punctata
“Dotted firefly,” “tiny Lucy”
Photuris versicolor
“Variable triple-flash firefly,” “multi-flash predator”
Pyractomena lucifera
“Marsh imp”
Photuris frontalis
“Snappy single sync firefly”
Photinus sabulosus
“Creekside tree blinkers”
Phausis reticulata
“Blue ghost,” “Appalachian glow-worm firefly”
Photuris darwini
“Darwin’s firefly”
Pyractomena similis
“Similar firefly”
Pyractomena palustris
“Marsh diver”
Pyropyga nigricans
“Black-bordered elf”
Photuris potomaca
“Potomac River firefly”
Photuris fairchildi
“Cape Breton firefly,” “Fairchild’s predator”
Pyropyga decipiens
“Sneaky elf”
Photinus scintillans
“Pale firefly,” “yellow-bellied firefly,” “pine barrens firefly”
Pollaclasis bifaria
“Branched Polly”
Photinus carolinus
“Synchronous firefly,” “Smokies synchronous firefly,” “light show”
The Firefly Atlas lists 22 of Virginia’s 29 species as flashing fireflies. Of the remaining seven, six are noted as day-time dark fireflies and there only one glow-worm type: the Phausis reticulata.
Only 33 of the total 176 species and subspecies of firefly are noted to have flightless female fireflies, with an additional five species marked as “sometimes,” “presumed yes” or “presumed no.”
Of Virginia’s 29 species of firefly, just one of them — the Photinus scintillans — is noted to have flightless female fireflies, though the Pyropyga nigricans is marked as “sometimes” having them. The Pyropyga nigricans are notably the only species in the Firefly Atlas marked as such.
If you’re interested in learning more about fireflies, or if you’d like to report a sighting of your own, you can do so on the Firefly Atlas’ website.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Zoo will host its annual Bike Night on Friday, May 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in celebration of National Bike Month. This all-ages event offers guests the opportunity to explore 53 acres of the Virginia Zoo’s beautifully landscaped grounds on designated paths.
This is just one of many events planned throughout the City of Norfolk for National Bike Month.
Animal exhibit trails and the Goat Yard will remain open after-hours, until 7:30 p.m. This unique experience allows visitors to observe animal behaviors after regular operating hours.
Local vendors will also be on hand to assist with bike repairs or accessories.
Guests can meet Animal Ambassadors for a Zoo Tales story reading at the ZooLive! Stage at 6 p.m. The evening also features an energizing DJ dance party. The Zoo’s young professionals group, GenZoo, will help attendees craft decorations for their helmets. Local businesses like Slow & Steady Bikes and Goods and East Coast Bicycles will offer bike accessories. Community organizations such as Elizabeth River Trail, Visit Norfolk, Spinclusion and Bike Norfolk are also scheduled to attend.
Member tickets for Bike Night cost $8. Non-member adult tickets are $18, and non-member child tickets are $13. Children under two receive free entry, but a reserved “under two” ticket is still required.
The event is likely to sell out, so if you are interested in attending, it’s best to act fast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at virginiazoo.org/event/bike-night/.
Bike Night will take place rain or shine.
Rules and Safety
- No Electric Bicycles Permitted (Unless Hybrids with Motors Removed)
- No skateboards, roller skates, or longboards
- Helmets must be worn by all attendees under the age of 18.
- Bikes must be walked on animal trails — no riding.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Virginia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 3, 2026, results for each game:
Pick 3
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 4-2-3, FB: 0
Day: 9-4-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 1-4-3-3, FB: 1
Day: 3-0-3-5, FB: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
DAY drawing at 1:59 p.m. NIGHT drawing at 11 p.m. each day.
Night: 7-7-5-7-8, FB: 3
Day: 4-1-9-5-8, FB: 1
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash Pop
Drawing times: Coffee Break 9 a.m.; Lunch Break 12 p.m.; Rush Hour 5 p.m.; Prime Time 9 p.m.; After Hours 11:59 p.m.
Coffee Break: 05
After Hours: 09
Prime Time: 13
Rush Hour: 12
Lunch Break: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Cash 5
Drawing every day at 11 p.m.
03-05-09-19-44
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawing everyday at 11:15 p.m.
05-08-15-32-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Center for Community Journalism (CCJ) editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Roanoke (Va.) North Cross School receiver Demarcus Brown tells Rivals he has flipped his commitment from Virginia to Virginia Tech.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Brown becomes commit No. 10 for head coach James Franklin and the Hokies in the 2027 class.
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Brown is one of the most prolific players in the state, turning 53 receptions into 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior with over 60 tackles six interceptions and two forced fumbles when playing defense.
Future position coach Fontel Mines was the lead recruiter for Brown who had been a verbal to Virginia since December. Once Franklin and the new staff landed at Virginia Tech they quickly prioritized Brown.
Now they have him in the fold.
Rivals ranks Brown as the nation’s No. 49 receiver and No. 10 prospect overall in the state of Virginia.
This Hokies class has some dynamic playmaking ability with Brown joining fellow receiver Anthony Roberts, along with running backs Kelvin Morrison and Stanley Smart as part of the fold.
Virginia Tech is in the mix for a Top25 class this cycle. Browns adds to a haul that Rivals previously ranked No. 31.
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