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Firefly, Lightningbug, Fireflies, Lightning Bugs
Photuris, Photinus pyralis
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Even as children, we were fascinated by the flashing lights of fireflies. Probably every child at one time or another collected a few lightningbugs in a glass jar and wondered at the glow of their mating calls. Lightning bugs have been used as do it yourself lamps by children for centuries.
Light emitted by the firefly rear ends turns out to be a lot more complicated than a mere "Here I am!" signal. Different species have different flash patterns, and the flashes of firefly females differ from those of males in the same species. Lightning bug flash patterns can also vary with time and temperature. Most examples of firefly flashing are mating signals, but some may serve as a warning to potential predators, indicating this food tastes bad! Firefly blood can be quite toxic to some animals, and in some cases, deadly.
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Eastern firefly, Photinus pyralis
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Normally most North American lightningbug females flash once to the male of interest within their own species. After a few back and forth replies, the male will approach the female and mate with her. After mating the firefly males return to mate searching, and females turn to egg-laying and/or hunting. Lightningbug females of the species Photuris are predators that mimic the flash responses of firefly females of other species. By doing so, the Photuris female attracts males of other firefly species and eats them! Conveniently using the other species males light as a target, these predatory female fireflies may also make aerial attacks them, illuminating the males with their own light just before striking in midair.
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Eastern firefly, lightningbug
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Firefly, Photinus pyralis
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Photuris lightning bug females also appear to use flashes for the purpose of aiding sight when taking off and landing on vegetation. Flashing may also be used as an aid in locating suitable egg-laying sites on the ground. Fireflies are known to flash when caught in a spider web, a mud puddle, or a tangle of Spanish moss, but the reason for these flashes isn not entirely understood, and may not have any significant meaning.
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Eastern firefly, lightning bug
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Fireflies are not the only insects exhibiting bioluminescence. Other examples are larval Appalachian glowworm flies, Arachnocampa luminosa larvae in New Zealand caves, and the larva of certain Brazilian click beetles that eat termites.
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Bioluminescent insects, like fireflies, are great subjects for behavioral studies, and their bioluminescent chemistry has been of great value to humanity in the forms of molecular and cellular biology and medicine. Firefly light has even been used in the study of energy conversion within cells. Researchers have historically bought fireflies for study, but the simple joy of watching a free fireworks show in your own backyard is hard to beat!
Andrew Williams / CritterZone.com
Literature cited
Carde, Ring T. 2003 Encyclopedia of Insects Academic Press pgs.117-120
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The firefly and lightningbug pictures on this page are available for commercial stock photography license. All text and photos that appear on this webpage are copyrighted and may not be copied or used in any way without permission from CritterZone.
CritterZone does not specifically endorse our advertisers, or their methods. We cannot control the ads that run on our articles. CritterZone advocates humane and respectful treatment of all creatures.
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lightningbug
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