Fluorescence in Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): Using Sentinel Prey to Investigate a Possible Aposematic Signal
2019
While fireflies are most renowned for their bioluminescent signals, several species also have been shown to possess UV and blue-induced fluorescence. In a field study, we used a sentinel prey approach to investigate whether this trait might serve as an
aposematicfunction in chemically defended fireflies. We also examined and provide the first detailed description of green and red patterns of blue light-induced fluorescence in the adults and larvae of
Ellychnia corrusca(L.) (Coleoptera:
Lampyridae). We placed artificial prey models with and without fluorescent markings in a forested area of Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, where they were exposed to natural predators. Clay models were styled to resemble
Photinusfireflies, the most common firefly genus in this area, and a close relative of
Ellychnia. The field study was conducted from Oct through May in Belmont, Massachusetts; this is the period when adults of the diurnal non-luminescent firefly E. corrusca are overwintering on trees. We observed considerable seasonal variation in
attack rates, and marks on the clay models indicated they were attacked by avian, mammal, and arthropod predators. However, no difference was seen between fluorescent and non-fluorescent models in predator
attack rates. This suggests that fireflies' fluorescent markings do not serve as an
aposematicsignal, at least for the predator
guildactive in New England woodlands.
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