Orfelia fultoni

Description

Orfelia fultoni is the only bioluminescent species of flies found in North America. It is distantly related to Arachnocampa, but their bioluminescent systems use distinct mechanisms. The larvae of the species live in stream banks among moss and rock cavities, as well as in wet sandstone caves. They build sticky webs, and using their two bioluminescent lanterns as an attractant, capture flying prey. They produce the bluest light of any studied bioluminescent insect. The species occurs in the Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau, primarily in the states of Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Orfelia fultoni has sometimes been referred to by the common name "dismalites", in consequence of their presence in Dismals Canyon, a National Natural Landmark in northwest Alabama.