Species information
Scientific name: Pyrocoelia matsumurai
Japanese name: オキナワマドボタル
Chinese name: 沖繩窗螢
English name: Pyrocoelia matsumurai
Origin: Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Yagajijima, Tokashikijima, Kumejima, Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kohamajima
Ecology and description
Pyrocoelia matsumurai is a species of the genus Pyrocoelia and has three subspecies:
- P. m. matsumurai: occurs on Okinawajima, Sesokojima, Yagajijima and Tokashikijima
- P. m. abdominalis: occurs on Ishigaki, Iriomote and Kohamajima
- P. m. kumejimensis: occurs on Kumejima
The larvae of P. matsumurai are terrestrial and carnivorous, feeding on land snails and other terrestrial mollusks. In the Yambaru area, the larvae can be seen near damp ditches once the flashlight is turned off. The adults emerge in April.
References: 虫ナビ (Mushinavi)
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
