Pyrocoelia matsumurai
Japanese name: オキナワマドボタル
Chinese name: 沖繩窗螢
English name: Okinawa Pyrocoelia Firefly
Origin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and the Yaeyama Islands
Pyrocoelia matsumurai, a species belonging to the genus Pyrocoelia, is divided into the following three subspecies:
- Pyrocoelia m. matsumurai: Found on Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Yagajijima, and Tokashikijima
- Pyrocoelia m. abdominalis (Yaeyama subspecies): Found on Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, and Kohamajima
- Pyrocoelia m. kumejimensis (Kumejima subspecies): Found on Kumejima
In the Yambaru region, if you turn off your flashlight near damp roadside ditches, you may be able to observe the larvae of this species. The larvae are terrestrial and carnivorous, primarily preying on snails. Adults typically emerge around April.
