The type species of Luciola Laporte, 1833 (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae)

Literature regarding the firefly genus Luciola Laporte, 1833 is investigated to determine the correct type species for this diverse and taxonomically important genus. Evidence suggests that the type species subsequently designated by Desmarest (1860) was misidentified. Following the requirements of Article 70.3.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature we fix Lampyris lusitanica Charpentier, 1825, the taxonomic species actually involved in the misidentification, as the type species of Luciola. The taxonomic concept of Lampyris lusitanica is of critical importance for future evolutionary and conservation biology research. A neotype for Lampyris lusitanica is designated and described based on morphological and molecular characters. We confirm that the fixation of Lampyris lusitanica Charpentier, 1825 as the type species of Luciola does not pose a threat to nomenclatural stability in this group of fireflies. We provide a rebuttal to comments made in Fanti (2024) in Appendix 2.