The Winter Firefly is a day-active firefly that does not flash; instead, adults communicate with pheromones during warm winter and early spring days, often aggregating on the trunks of maples and other trees. It is black and red-orange, resembling a small soldier beetle. Adults frequently feed at maple sap flows and overwintering adults may be seen on mild January days.
Best time to see a Winter Firefly
The best time to see a Winter Firefly is March–May, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 13,550 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Winter Firefly? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Winter Firefly sightings near you
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