The head shield, or pronotum, is yellow, with a dark arrow in the center, which is often interrupted, appearing as two separate marks.

[3][4] Photuris has its origins in the Greek words for light, "phot",[7] and tail, or "ouros".

Beetles such as P. lucicrescens go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

[3] Adult male P. lucicrescens fireflies fly over vegetation about 45 minutes after sunset and later, flashing to attract the attention of females.

[3] P. lucicrescens is found throughout the eastern United States, as far west as Kansas and Oklahoma.