Is this insect beneficial, harmful, or just a passer-by? pic

[madonnaswimmer]

I found this insect on my Thyme today. Didn't appear to be doing much of anything.

I haven't noticed any other pests (aphids, whiteflies, etc) that he could be eating...

Does anyone know what this is and if I need to be concerned?

[img]https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a360/madonnaswimmer/June10002.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a360/madonnaswimmer/June10005.jpg[/img]

[Gary350]

I don't think lightning bugs hurt anything.

[madonnaswimmer]

I don't think lightning bugs hurt anything.

Hah! It's a lightning bug? That's funny. I had no idea what it was. Thanks!

[applestar]

I was looking for an university link to support my statement that their larvae eat slug and snail larvae and found out they are even more beneficial:

Females deposit eggs in the earth (damp soil), and in about three weeks young sowbug-like larvae appear. The larva is a voracious predator that eats snails, slugs, cutworms, mites and pollen

Fireflies or "lightning bugs" are needed in medical research laboratories throughout the world. The firefly contains luciferin and luciferase, two rare chemicals used in research on cancer, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and heart disease. The ability of these insects to produce cold light (bioluminescence) has led to new flashlights and flares on the market today. Scientists have been unable to produce these chemicals synthetically in spite of the great need.

https://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2125.html

[madonnaswimmer]

"I was looking for an university link to support my statement that their larvae eat slug and snail larvae and found out they are even more beneficial"


Wow! Awesome! I hope I didn't disturb it too much, then!