Redescription of Photinus pallens (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), the type species of Photinus

Photinus is the most diverse genus in the subfamily Lampyrinae, comprising over 300 species found worldwide in a variety of habitats. The type species, Photinus pallens (Fabricius), is a large, charismatic bioluminescent beetle endemic to the forests of Jamaica. Although first described by Fabricius in 1798, the original description was brief and lacked sufficient morphological detail for reliable identification. It was based on an earlier 1756 account by Browne, which did not include a formal species name. A specimen historically treated as the type was found to be inconsistent with Fabricius’s description and historically identified material. This misidentification, combined with vague diagnostic information, has led to ongoing confusion in the application of the name P. pallens. To resolve this, we designated a neotype and present a full redescription of P. pallens based on male and female specimens. Several morphological features are described in detail for the first time, including pronotal shape, mouthparts, and both male and female genitalia. These were compared with published descriptions of other Photinus species and related Lampyridae genera. Preliminary results show that the male genitalia share key traits with other members of Photinus. This work will provide key grounding for the genus, allowing for future taxonomic work within the genus and Lampyridae overall.