Nyctophila reichii, commonly known as the Mediterranean firefly, is a species of firefly. The species is very common in the southern and eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
Nyctophila reichii, the Mediterranean glow-worm, characterized by its orange
yellowish tone, is the species most recorded from both sources of information.
We identified 95 larvae, 34 males and 25 females (including the 6 records that show both males and females). This species shows a clear Mediterranean and Southern distribution, with no records in the Northern provinces except one from Galicia (Spanish region north of Portugal).
The biology and phenology of this species is still unknown. Data of the survey allow us to show some phenological patterns for the period 2004-2010. Adult males and females were seen from late May until late July (Table 2). Despite the data it is still insufficient to draw conclusions about the relationship between latitude and day of adult emergence, the later records (second fortnight of July) correspond to the northern provinces of Spain.
Larvae were found during the whole year across all of Spain, even during
months when adults are present (June and July), although in lower numbers
compared to the previous and subsequent months. The latter pattern may
indicate a two year life-cycle as reported for other lampyrid species, i.e. L.
noctiluca (Tyler, 2002).
Males and females were often found in groups sometimes more than 200
individuals within a 40m2 patch of riverside forest, or more than twelve males.
