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Here, based on phylogenetic analyses of 18 taxa and 57 morphological characters, we propose a new firefly genus,Costalampysgen. nov., to accommodate eleven species. Five new species are herein described:C. bellasp. nov.,C. capixabasp. nov.,C delicatasp. nov.(designated as type species),C. joanaesp. nov.andC. minimasp. nov.In addition, six species are redescribed and transferred from other genera:C. bisbinotata(Pic)comb. nov., transferred fromPlatylampisMotschulsky;C. decorata(Olivier)comb. nov., transferred fromEthraLaporte;C. pauper(Olivier)comb. nov., transferred fromCladodesSolier; as well asC. klugii(Motschulsky)comb. nov.,C. quadriguttata(Gorham)comb. nov., andC. tricolor(Gorham)comb. nov., transferred fromLucidotaLaporte.Costalampysgen. nov.is tentatively placed in Lampyrinae, and is diagnosed by: antennae with 11 articles, III–X basally flabellate, lacking dense and upright bristles; clypeus connected to frons by membrane, pygidium rounded; sternum VIII mucronate; phallus with dorsal plate enlarged apically, projecting ventrally and partially embracing the internal sac. Our phylogenetic analyses supported both the monophyly ofCostalampysgen. nov.and the new combinations proposed. However, the relationship among congeneric species was poorly resolved. Finally, we provide illustrations of diagnostic features, distribution maps, as well as a key toCostalampysgen. nov.species, based on males.

Sonneratia caseolaris or known as Firefly Mangrove, or Mangrove Apple is an evergreen, tropical, commonly in Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi Province. The nutritional content in 100 g of pedada consists of 9.21% protein, 4.81% fat, 77.57% carbohydrates and 56.74 mg of vitamin C. The nutritional potential can be exploited through efforts to diversify food into fruit juice drinks. Knowing the characteristics of physical and sensory from pedada juice was the aim of this study. The effect of adding the proportion of pedada and sugar was P1 (pedada 150 g: 0% sugar), P2 (pedada 150 g: sugar 60%), P3 (pedada 150 g: 70% sugar), P4 (200 g of pedada: 0% sugar), P5 (200 g of pedada: 60% sugar) and P6 (200 g of pedada: 70% sugar). Data were statistically tested using two way ANOVA analysis. The results of the study of pedada juice with the composition of 200 g of pedada and the addition of 70% sugar had the best characteristics. The best physical characteristics of pedada fruit juice have a pH value of 3.20 (acid), viscosity 2.88 cp, and an L * 47.19 value (close to bright). The best sensory characteristics of pedada juice are the preferred color and odor, sweet and sour taste, liquid texture, overall acceptance is preferred. The use of 200 g of Pedada with 70% sugar can be applied in making the next pedada juice, but modification is needed to improve the color and odor.

The ecological study of synchronous firefly from the genus Pteroptyx was conducted at Sungai Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. It involved year–long sampling efforts during night time from November 2017 until October 2018. A total of 20 sampling stations were selected along 5.59 km stretch of the river with an interval ranging between 100 to 500 m. Sampling was carried out using sweeping net, randomly for one minute at each sampling station. The collected specimens were brought to the Centre of Insect Systematics UKM (CIS) for identification and reposition. A total of 1161 individuals represented by three species of firefly namely Pteroptyx tener Olivier (1148 individuals), Pteroptyx malaccae Gorham (11 individuals) and Pteroptyx asymmetria Ballantyne (2 individuals). Mostly these species were recorded on Sonneratia caseolaris. The highest percentage of firefly abundance were recorded in December 2017 (38%) while the lowest was in April 2018 (2%). Wind speed had affected significantly the firefly variation temporally while air temperature and humidity spatially affected the population of insects (p 0.05). This study helps in the monitoring of firefly population in Sungai Rembau to ensure the survival of these species.

Fireflies use bioluminescent flashes to establish a dialogue between conspecific males and females. Through this dialogue, receptive females attract conspecific males for mating. In most firefly sp...

Dilychnia (Lampyridae: Lampyrinae) is a poorly known Neotropical genus of lampyrid firefly. Descriptions of Dilychnia species were traditionally based on differences in colour pattern, which are usually not reliable for species discrimination. Here, we review and redescribe the genus Dilychnia and its species, after examining the type material of all species, and we present the first phylogenetic analysis for the group, including 70 morphological characters and 15 species. After the proposal of new taxonomic combinations, Dilychnia was recovered as monophyletic with high support. We provide a key to species identification, updated geographical ranges and illustrations of diagnostic features for all species. We transfer Lucidota propinqua and Photinus succensus to Dilychnia and describe the new species Dilychnia dumasi sp. nov. We report, for the first time, that these three taxa are nocturnal and flash with an orange-yellow light. Phenotypic diversity within the genus is most pronounced in characters involved in mate tracking (i.e. antennae, eyes and light organs).

This paper studied the complete mitochondrial genomes of three fireflies, Pygoluciola qingyu, Emeia pseudosauteri and Abscondita terminalis. We discussed the variations in the mitochondrial genomes of samples of each firefly from different populations. The mitochondrial genomes of Abs. terminalis and P. qingyu are very stable among their different populations. The mitochondrial genome of E. pseudosauteri shows some variations among the different populations, especially in the COI sequence.

Firefly Algorithm (FA) is one of the new natural inspired optimization algorithms. It is inspired by the flashing behavior of the fireflies. Firefly algorithm, has some drawbacks such as getting trapped into several local optima, FA parameters are set fixed without change during iterations time. Besides that, it does not memorize or remember the history of any situation for each iteration. In this paper, we propos a firefly photinus algorithm (FPA) based on the initialize mate list to solve problems of trapped into several local optima and remember history of situation to forbidden fireflies movements in mate list (history) during the search process, and propose new absorption parameter σ to change the parameters during iterations time which lead to balance between exploration and exploitation, and it controls the dominance area of a lighter firefly during time iterations by reduction or increase σ coefficient whether. The experimental results tested on thirteen benchmark functions are selected to evaluate performance of the FPA and to compare it with the standards of the FA and Some FA variants algorithm, it show that FPA algorithm can outperform FA and FA variants algorithm in most of the experiments.

The firefly subgenus Hotaria sensu lato of the genus Luciola currently includes four morphospecies: L. (H.) parvula, L. (H.) unmunsana, L (H.) papariensis, and L. (H.) tsushimana. The latter three are taxonomically controversial based on both morphological and molecular data. We examined the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the species and related congeners using partial COI gene sequences (DNA barcoding). Our phylogenetic analyses consistently supported the monophyly of Hotaria sensu lato, but did not resolve the generic rank. The two types of L. (H.) parvula in Japan can be considered distinct species that arose by pseudocryptic speciation during the Miocene, with substantial genetic divergence (15.41%). Three morphospecies, L. (H.) unmunsana, L (H.) papariensis, and L. (H.) tsushimana, split into several polyphyletic or paraphyletic groups, forming entangled species groups. They are considered an incipient group that is distinguishable genetically but not morphologically, with evidence for recent allopatric speciation events corresponding to geologic events and sea-level changes during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Group III of L. (H.) unmunsana collected from the Jeolla region is a new taxon.

Luminous fireflies are a roadside attraction group of insects which act as environmental indicators and indicate the quality of surrounding milieus. However, recent studies suggest that water pollution and climate change are involved in the decline of firefly populations around the world, and have sounded an alarm regarding the conservation of the firefly population. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the current status of the firefly population in a remote place called “Barrankula” in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, India, which is surrounded by paddy fields. Two decades ago (during 1996), the population of the firefly Abscondita chinensis Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) around the freshwater canal of Barrankula was documented in the several hundreds (>500) of individuals within a 10-m2 area. However, the same site was found to have a declining population of Abs. chinensis (only 10 to 20 individuals) within a 10-m2 area in January 2019. Thus, further population modeling studies are imperative to investigate the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of Abs. chinensis and to conserve this species. In addition, this study also investigated the luminescence emission patterns of Abs. chinensis under captive conditions, where gradual depletion of luminescence was detected under starved conditions. Abs. chinensis documented in this study is the first record of faunal diversity in Andhra Pradesh.

Background Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are commonly recognized by adult traits, such as a soft exoskeleton, lanterns and associated glow and flash patterns, but their larval stage is far less appreciated. However, fireflies spend most of their lives as larvae, and adults of most species rely solely on resources previously obtained. Therefore, studying the immature stages is imperative towards a comprehensive understanding of fireflies. This paper reviews and indicates key gaps in the biology of firefly larvae based on available literature. Methodology We reviewed the literature on firefly larvae to identify key issues and important taxonomic, geographic, and subject biases and gaps. Results We found 376 papers that included information on firefly larvae. Only 139 species in 47 genera across eight of eleven lampyrid subfamilies have been studied during larval stages. These numbers reveal a staggering gap, since 94% of species and over half of the genera of fireflies were never studied in a crucial stage of their life cycle. Most studies on firefly larvae focus on two subfamilies (Luciolinae and Lampyrinae) in four zoogeographic regions (Sino-Japanese, Oriental, Nearctic, and Palearctic), whereas the other subfamilies and regions remain largely unstudied. These studies mainly dealt with morphology and behavior, other subjects remaining greatly understudied by comparison, including habitats, life cycle, physiology and interactions. Conclusions Together, these literature biases and gaps highlight how little is known about firefly larvae, and warmly invite basic and applied research, in the field and in the lab, to overcome these limitations and improve our understanding of firefly biology to better preserve them.

Several studies have been carried out on flashing of fireflies till now. From patterns of its flashes in different ambient conditions, different conclusions have been drawn and hypotheses put forward. Here we observe flashes emitted by two Indian species of firefly Luciola praeusta and Asymmetricata circumdata. For the species L. praeusta, as the temperature is lowered below about 21 °C, simple pulses become compound or combination ones. Males begin to emit bi-modal flashes while females emit both bi- and tri-modal flashes, along with the simple ones, in a regular manner. For the species A. circumdata, this feature is evident even at their normal flashing temperatures. Though rare, three-peaked flashes do appear from male specimens of both these species, and decay times of all the three peaks in a male- or a female-flash come out to be a few tens of, or a hundred-odd, milliseconds - in contrast to the nanosecond lifetimes determined by different workers for different analogs of the light emitter molecule oxyluciferin. We propose that the tri-modal feature in a flash represents three luminescent forms of the excited state of oxyluciferin, which in the normal flashing state in the living firefly decays via a pathway followed by molecules exhibiting phosphorescence.

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) have distinct visual systems at different stages of development. Larvae have stemmata and adults have compound eyes. Adults use compound eyes to mediate photic communication during courtship. Larvae do not manifest this behavior, yet they are bioluminescent. We investigated the structure of stemmata in Photuris firefly larvae to identify anatomical substrates (i.e., rhabdomeres) conferring visual function. Stemmata were located bilaterally on the antero-lateral surfaces of the head. Beneath the ~ 130 µm diameter lens, we identified a pigmented eye-cup. At its widest point, the eye-cup was ~ 150 µm in diameter. The optic nerve exited the eye-cup opposite the lens. Two distinct regions, asymmetric in size and devoid of pigmentation, were characterized in stemmata cross-sections. We refer to these regions as lobes. Each lobe contained a rhabdom of a radial network of rhabdomeres. Pairs of rhabdomeres formed interdigitating microvilli contributed from neighboring photoreceptor cell bodies. The optic nerve contained 88 axons separable into two populations based on size. The number of axons in the optic nerve together with distinct rhabdoms suggests these structures were formed from ‘fusion stemmata.’ This structural specialization provides an anatomical substrate for future studies of visually mediated behaviors in Photuris larvae. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00359-018-01312-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Several Asian natricine snakes possess special organs called nuchal glands. Previous studies showed the nuchal glands of Rhabdophis tigrinus contain cardiac steroidal toxins known as bufadienolides (BDs) that are sequestered from toads consumed as prey. Recently, a congener has been found to ingest fireflies and sequester defensive BDs from them. As amphibians are probably the plesiomorphic diet of Rhabdophis species, it is presumed that a dietary transition of toxin source from toads to fireflies has occurred within the radiation of Rhabdophis. Because snakes heavily rely on chemical cues to recognize their prey, we predicted that species of Rhabdophis are capable of detecting BDs. To test the prediction, we conducted chemical preference tests using adults and hatchlings of R. tigrinus. We presented seven stimuli (water, cologne, earthworm, cinobufagin [a compound of BDs], toad, frog, and lampyrine firefly) to them. Both adult and hatchling R. tigrinus showed a higher response to toads and frogs than the controls (water and cologne), but, contrary to our prediction, they did not respond to cinobufagin. Adult R. tigrinus did however show a higher response to lampyrine fireflies than the controls. Our data imply that chemical resemblance between toads and fireflies elicited the reaction in adult R. tigrinus, but the chemical substances remain unknown. To identify the proximate mechanisms of the unique shift from toad-eating to firefly-eating in the snakes, further investigation is necessary.

In this study, we describe a new Lampyridae subfamily, Chespiritoinae new subfamily, its sole genus Chespirito new genus, and three new species: Chespirito zaragozai new species, Chespirito lloydi new species, and Chespirito ballantyneae new species from the Neotropical portions of Mexico. Chespirito can be readily separated from all other known Lampyridae by the unique prosternum, characterized by being very wide, divided in the middle by a distinct suture forming two plates, with the anterior margin bearing a narrow inter-coxal process, the strongly setose filiform antennae, with antennomere III much smaller than all other antennomeres, the pronotum medially constricted (not in C. ballantyneae), with area adjacent to disc strongly punctate and with the presence of a strongly developed longitudinal carina. To test the placement of the genus within the Lampyridae, we obtained three genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28SrRNA, and cox1 mitochondrial DNA) from C. zaragozai and performed a maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analysis. Our analyses rendered nearly identical tree topologies, with C. zaragozai new species recovered as an independent lineage as sister to Pollaclasis bifaria (Say) (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) + Cyphonocerus ruficollis Kiesenwetter (Coleoptera, Lampyridae)+Luciolinae, with a posterior probability of 96 for the BI analysis and UFBoot respectively of 91 for the ML analysis with the entire clade sister to Pterotus obscuripennis LeConte (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). A detailed examination of the morphology of Chespirito indicates that this lineage is divergent from all other known Lampyridae, which combined with the results of our analyses supports the erection of a new subfamily.

Silveira, Luiz F L, Khattar, Gabriel, Vaz, Stephanie, Wilson, Vinicius A., Souto, Paula M., Mermudes, José R. M., Stanger-Hall, Kathrin F., Macedo, Margarete V., Monteiro, Ricardo F. (2020): Natural history of the fireflies of the Serra dos Órgãos mountain range (Brazil: Rio de Janeiro) - one of the 'hottest' firefly spots on Earth, with a key to genera (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Journal of Natural History 54 (5-6): 275-308, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1749323, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2020.1749323

Bioluminescent beetles, firefly, click beetle, and railroad worm, naturally emit different-color light via the identical luciferin and bioluminescence (BL) mechanisms. Railroad worm especially emits two colors of light in its dorsal-lateral and cephalic lanterns. Four computational models of bioluminophore (oLu) in luciferases of red-emitting, yellow-green-emitting, red-emitting with additional loop, and red-emitting without C-terminal were built in this paper. To unveil the details of this luciferase effect at the molecular and electronic-state levels, second-order multiconfigurational perturbation calculations were performed following molecular dynamic simulations and time-dependent density functional calculations for the above four oLu-luciferase systems. Via a systematic analysis on properties of oLu at the first singlet state (S

Numerous studies have been carried out on different aspects of the light from summer-active fireflies. Characteristics of this light have led to very interesting conclusions on the chemiluminescence reaction as well as on the nature of the light from live fireflies. Here we present a first report on bioluminescence emissions from a newly found winter-active Indian species of firefly Diaphanes sp. The steady-state emission spectrum from this species comes out to be apparently similar to those from the other two Indian summer species, Luciola praeusta and Asymmetricata circumdata: asymmetric in nature with a little bit of change in the position of the peak wavelength and in the width of the full width at half maximum. An increase in temperature to approximately 28°C causes a red-shift in the peak wavelength, which probably indicates denaturation of the enzyme luciferase in the live, flashing condition. Emissions in the time domain reveal that the light is never completely off - it decreases in intensity to a low value, sometimes very close to zero, and then increases - a characteristic unheard-of till date. Flash durations are considerably longer than those from the two Indian summer species; those become shorter at about 28°C and increase to noticeably larger values at higher temperatures.

During mating season, males of synchronous firefly species flash in unison within swarms of thousands of individuals. These strongly correlated collective displays have inspired numerous mathematical models to explain how global synchronous patterns emerge from local interactions. Yet, experimental data to validate these models remain sparse. To address this gap, we develop a method for three-dimensional tracking of firefly flashes, using a stereoscopic set-up of 360-degree cameras. We apply this method to record flashing displays of the North American synchronous speciesPhotinus carolinusin its natural habitat as well as within controlled environments, and obtain the three-dimensional reconstruction of flash occurrences in the swarm. Our results show that even a small number of interacting males synchronize their flashes; however, periodic flash bursts only occur in groups larger than 15 males. Moreover, flash occurrences are correlated over several metres, indicating long-range interactions. While this suggests emergent collective behaviour and cooperation, we identify distinct individual trajectories that hint at additional competitive mechanisms. These reveal possible behavioural differentiation with early flashers being more mobile and flashing longer than late followers. Our experimental technique is inexpensive and easily implemented. It is extensible to tracking light communication in various firefly species and flight trajectories in other insect swarms.

Although polygamy has versatile benefits for both sexes, many species favor monogamy for reasons with the clarity or unclarity. In cephalopods, all species are regarded to be polygamous, which could be attributed to their common life-history traits. Contrary to this prediction, we show empirical evidence for monogamy in the firefly squid, Watasenia scintillans. The peak spawning season comes after male disappearance owning to long-reserved spermatangia deposited by male at exact locations (bilateral pouches under neck collar) on female with a symmetric distribution. Such a non-random placement of spermatangia prompted us to hypothesize that females engage in lifetime monoandry. Hence we assigned genotypes of female-stored spermatangia and offspring. We found that in 94.7 % females, the spermatangia were delivered from a single male and all embryos in the same egg string sired by sperm from stored spermatangia. Throughout the season, relative testes mass was much smaller in W. scintillans than all other cephalopods previously examined. The mean number of male-stored spermatophores was approximately 30, the equivalent to 2.5 mates. Our demographic and morphometrical data agree with the prediction that monogyny is favored when potential mates are scarce such as absence of female remating. Together, these results suggest the likelihood of mutual monogamy.

Ellychnia corrusca (Winter Firefly) is one of few winter-active insects. Exposed throughout the season, this beetle appears vulnerable to insectivorous predators, but was recently shown to possess lucibufagins (LBGs), potent chemical defenses. The Winter Firefly is closely related to summer-active fireflies. To provide an adaptive explanation for this apparent phenological shift, we hypothesized that winter activity may protect the Winter Firefly from summer-active fireflies in the genus Photuris, predators that specialize on LBG-containing prey. To test this hypothesis, we studied the Winter Firefly and Photuris that occur sympatrically, but asynchronously as adults, at our Connecticut field sites. Through 2 experiments, we demonstrated that Photuris selectively consumes the Winter Firefly and sequesters its LBGs. Our findings are consistent with a hypothesis that winter activity by the Winter Firefly, by enabling early spring reproduction, provides phenological escape from a specialist predator.

Over 13 seasons, from 1992 to 2016, field studies detailing the life habits of Phausis inaccensa LeConte were carried out primarily in Mississippi and Tennessee with additional data from Arkansas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Minnesota. From late March to May in the southern states, ≈45 minutes after sunset, apterous, neotenic females emerge from their daytime shelters in the leaf litter, glow from two spots at the end of their upturned abdomens, and attract flying, lanternless males. Signaling females, often in loose groupings of three to four, attract multiple males that land near (60 mm, SD 15) but not directly on them. Male activity was greatest from 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, and ended by two hours past sunset. Unmated females displayed longer (from 90 minutes to all night) than the mated females, which typically displayed for a shorter time. Eighty percent of the females signaled and mated on a single night. Mating durations were brief, averaging eight minutes when one male was present, but significantly longer (12–45 minutes) when more than one male was present. In captivity, both males and females mated multiple times. More than 90% of the males and 70% of the females were active during the three-week period that equaled about 450–500 modified growing degree days Fahrenheit. Northern populations showed a different seasonality, but similar habits. Females lived an average of 14 days in captivity, oviposited clutches of 20–30 round pale eggs, 0.5 mm diameter, and exhibited maternal care and guarding of their eggs until their death six to nine days after oviposition. Larvae, 1.57 mm, emerged in 34–37 days. We compare these observations with similar and often sympatric Phausis reticulata Say, the Blue Ghost firefly, whose males glow during their flights in search of females.

During cold storage (2°C) of Enterobacter aerogenes for 15 min, 2, 4, 6 and 8 d in glucose mineral salts medium (GMS) and skim milk (SM), substantial differences were noticed in ATP/cell levels. At the appropriate interval, ATP was determined with the firefly bioluminescent method on a portion of the culture, while another portion was activated at 30°C for 40 min and ATP determined at 10-min intervals. Initial ATP content after 15 min of storage in SM was 0.55 femtogram (fg)/cell as compared to 0.84 fg/cell in GMS. Upon cold storage for longer periods (2, 4, 6 and 8 d), the ATP/cell concentrations were relatively stable (0.82, 0.73,0.62 and 0.72 fg) in GMS, while they declined to levels below 0.2 fg in SM. However, activation of only 30 min increased cell ATP concentration in SM to 1.06, 0.92, 0.77, 0.66 and 0.72 fg, and narrowed the difference between ATP/cell levels in the two media. As a realistic ATP concentration/cell value is necessary to calculate bacterial numbers in milk by the bioluminescent technique, a 30-min activation period at 30°C is recommended to replenish the A TP lost during refrigerated storage.

A new genus and four new species of Indian endemic beetles belonging to the subfamily Ototretinae (Lampyridae) are described: Flabellopalpodes gen. nov., F. flavus sp. nov., F. brancuccii sp. nov., F. atricornis sp. nov., and F. tamilnaduensis sp. nov. One species formerly placed in Drilidae, Selasia maindroni Bourgeois, 1903, is transferred to the genus Flabellopalpodes, and consequently F. maindroni (Bourgeois, 1903) is proposed. A key to species and illustrations of diagnostic characters are given.

Nerve cord configuration and brain neurosecretory cell (NSC) characteristics were studied in adult firefly, Luciola gorhami, applying two methods, in situ and section staining. Nerve cord was of primitive type and consisted of brain, subesophageal ganglion, three thoracic and seven abdominal ganglia which were connected to each other serially through a pair of longitudinal connectives. Thoracic ganglia were separated and had the same size. All abdominal ganglia had the same size except the last one which was twice larger than the others. Abdominal ganglia were not fused with thoracic ganglia. Using in situ staining, 26 neurosecretory cells (NSCs) stained as median neurosecretory cells (MNSCs) and lateral neurosecretory cells (LNSCs). MNSCs consisted of 20 cells in three groups in pars intercerebralis. MNSCs had a U shaped arrangement in such a way that 4 round and large cells were located in front and two parallel groups (8 pryiform to round cells in each group) located in back. LNSCs were comprised of 6 large cells in two groups (one group on each lateral lobe of protocerebrum). MNSCs pathways were not clear but LNSCs pathways were clear and ipsilateral. Using section staining, large number of NSCs in pars intercerebralis stained gray and purple in color. Gray cells were large, more in number and appeared in many sections. Purple cells were large and grouped in the middle of gray cells. Both types of cells were on the surface area of brain and had large nucleus. Their axons were bundled together and extended backwards to the rear of brain.

The collection of Sri Lankan Cantharoidea in the National Museums Colombo was initiated and identified by European and British collectors in the early 1800s. Their collection has been reserved as "Sri Lankan firefly collection" in the National Museums, Colombo. Subsequently no systematic studies have been undertaken in an attempt to confirm the identifications and update the classification of these specimens using recent taxonomic information. During January to June in 2010, we examined 1,214 dry mounted specimens using a stereo microscope to determine external morphology in an attempt to reclassify specimens using up to date taxonomy. The collection originally was arranged into 4 families classified under 27 genera and 63 species. In our opinion, there are 4 families, containing 29 genera and 61 species including 27 Lampyridae species. The collection is clearly marked with labeled specimens indicating any authority for the suggested changes.

As flash signaling patterns of fireflies are species specific, signal‐pattern analysis is important for understanding this system of communication. Here, we present time‐lapse image analysis (TiLIA), a free open‐source software package for signal and flight pattern analyses of fireflies that uses video‐recorded image data. TiLIA enables flight path tracing of individual fireflies and provides frame‐by‐frame coordinates and light intensity data. As an example of TiLIA capabilities, we demonstrate flash pattern analysis of the fireflies Luciola cruciata and L. lateralis during courtship behavior.

Chemical Defenses Many animals sequester toxins from their prey to use as deterrents for their own predators. Toads are a well-known source of cardiotonic steroid toxins known as bufadienolides. Snakes in the genus Rhabdophis are generally regular consumers of frog and toad prey and have special dermal glands in which toxins are stored for release when the animal is attacked. A derived lineage of Rhabdophis has shifted its diet from amphibian to invertebrate prey, notably toxin-free earthworms. However, despite this shift, these species retain the special toxin-bearing glands and, unexpectedly, the glands have been found to still contain bufadienolides. Yoshida et al. characterized the toxins borne by these snakes and found that they were similar to those synthesized by toads. Further, examination of gut contents revealed the presence of not only the snakes' usual earthworm prey, but also firefly larvae, which synthesize the toad-like toxins. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 117 , 5964 (2020).

One type of creeping firefly (Lampyris noctiluca) has been found in the forest area, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This study reports the spectral properties of these fireflies using a nanofotometer. From the measurement results, the wavelength value at maximum intensity is 580 nm. The decay constant, the number of photons, the quantum yield and the activation energy produced are 0.0092 / sec, 4.95 quanta / sec, 0.283 and 2.1433 eV, respectively.

A new species of firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Pygoluciola dunguna Nada sp. nov. is described from males and reliably associated females, collected mainly from lowland dipterocarp forests of Peninsular Malaysia at elevations below 300 m a.s.l. This species is found to be terrestrial, flying at low heights between 10−15 m above ground in between the herbaceous plants. Males are intermediate between the two types of Pygoluciola Wittmer known until now. A list of species, and a key to males and known females of Pygoluciola is given. The female bursa has paired elongate hook like bursa plates.

Naïve bats learn to avoid noxious fireflies fastest when integrating bioluminescent and echo-derived warnings., Many defended animals prevent attacks by displaying warning signals that are highly conspicuous to their predators. We hypothesized that bioluminescing fireflies, widely known for their vibrant courtship signals, also advertise their noxiousness to echolocating bats. To test this postulate, we pit naïve big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) against chemically defended fireflies (Photinus pyralis) to examine whether and how these beetles transmit salient warnings to bats. We demonstrate that these nocturnal predators learn to avoid noxious fireflies using either vision or echolocation and that bats learn faster when integrating information from both sensory streams—providing fundamental evidence that multisensory integration increases the efficacy of warning signals in a natural predator-prey system. Our findings add support for a warning signal origin of firefly bioluminescence and suggest that bat predation may have driven evolution of firefly bioluminescence.

Bioluminescent insects, fungi, and sea creatures must have seemed mysterious and supernatural to the people of antiquity. It was not until the late 19th century that science began to displace the magic by demonstrating that bioluminescence in insects, such as the firefly ( Photinus pyralis ), is a chemical reaction that requires a protein (a luciferase) and substrates [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), O2, and a luciferin, d-luciferin] ( 1 ). Understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of bioluminescence has grown over the past century, as has appreciation of its widespread prevalence in nature. Since cloning the gene for firefly luciferase ( 2 ), researchers have sought to exploit this molecular lightbulb for bioanalysis applications and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in model animals ( 3 ). On page 935 of this issue, Iwano et al. ( 4 ) report the development of a luciferase-luciferin pair that, due to its brightness and red-colored glow, opens the door to a range of biomedical applications, such as detection of single cells deep within tissue, that were not previously feasible with BLI.

The mature larva of the elusive firefly Phosphaenus hemipterus (Goeze, 1777) is thoroughly redescribed and illustrated with detailed images, including scanning electron microscope figures. The external sense organs and their significance is discussed, as well as the predatory behaviour and specific lifestyle of the larva. A key to the central European lampyrid larvae (viz. P. hemipterus, Lamprohiza splendidula (Linnaeus, 1767) and Lampyris noctiluca (Linnaeus, 1758)) is provided as well as a comparative table of their morphological features.

The New Zealand glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is well-known for displays of blue-green bioluminescence, but details of its bioluminescent chemistry have been elusive. The glowworm is evolutionarily distant from other bioluminescent creatures studied in detail, including the firefly. We have isolated and characterised the molecular components of the glowworm luciferase-luciferin system using chromatography, mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The purified luciferase enzyme is in the same protein family as firefly luciferase (31% sequence identity). However, the luciferin substrate of this enzyme is produced from xanthurenic acid and tyrosine, and is entirely different to that of the firefly and known luciferins of other glowing creatures. A candidate luciferin structure is proposed, which needs to be confirmed by chemical synthesis and bioluminescence assays. These findings show that luciferases can evolve independently from the same family of enzymes to produce light using structurally different luciferins.

The mature larva of the firefly Lamprohiza splendidula (Linnaeus, 1767) is thoroughly redescribed and illustrated with detailed images, including scanning electron microscope figures. External sense organs, structure of tergal plates and their significance are discussed, as well as photic manifestation of the larvae and pupae and prey hunting in larvae. Male and female pupae are briefly described, with notes on their developmental changes and behaviour, and the life cycle outlined.

Cladodes illigeri (Kirby, 1818) is redescribed, and can be distinguished by the following features: color pattern overall black, paired spots and elytral margins pale yellow; pygidium bisinuate, posterior angles rounded, as long as median margin; and aedeagus with phallus 1/3 shorter than the parameres, which are sinuated apically. Cladodes lamellicornis (Motschulsky, 1854) is proposed as a junior synomym of C. illigeri. New records from the Atlantic Rainforest and illustrations for structural features are provided. RESUMO Cladodes illigeri (Kirby, 1818) é redescrito, o qual pode ser diagnosticado pelos seguintes caracteres: padrão do colorido negro, com par de faixas amarelo-pálidas nas margens elitrais; pigídio bisinuoso, ângulos posteriores arredondados, tão longo quanto a margem mediana; e edeago com falo 1/3 mais curto que os parâmeros, os quais são sinuosos apicalmente. Cladodes lamellicornis (Motschulsky, 1854) é sinonimizado com C. illigeri. Novos registros da Mata Atlântica e ilustrações das características estruturais são fornecidos.

Artificial night lighting is gaining attention as a new type of pollution; however, studies of its impacts are scarce. Fireflies provide good models to investigate its effects on nocturnal wildlife, since they depend on their bioluminescence for reproduction. This study investigated the impact of artificial illumination on firefly activity at the new campus of the Federal University of S&atildeo Carlos (Sorocaba, Brazil). The flashing activity of different firefly species, especially Photinus sp1 (82% of all occurrences), was investigated during 3 years, before and after the installation of multi metal vapor spotlights. Quantitative and qualitative analysis, performed in transects at different distances from the artificial light sources, showed significant negative effects on Photinus sp1 occurrence. This study proposes fireflies as potential flagship species and bioindicators for artificial night lighting and for the first time quantifies its effects, providing subsidies for future conservationist legislations regarding photopollution.

In contrast to most other North American fireflies that use flash dialogs for courtship, males of Phausis reticulata Say (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) (Fender 1966), often called blue ghost fireflies, glow as they fly slowly over the forest floor searching for flightless, neotenic females that are likewise bioluminescent. Recently, these Blue Ghost firefly displays have become increasingly popular as ecotourist attractions. Nevertheless, surprisingly little work has been done on P. reticulata courtship and mating behavior, and little is known of female oviposition patterns. Extensive field observations were conducted at 2 locations in Tennessee USA, leading to the description of new categories of male mate-searching search behaviors and nightly display activities. Spectrophotometric measures of bioluminescence were similar in both sexes (λ max = 552 nm). There was a 3-fold variation in female body size, and size was correlated to the number of dorsal photic organs (3 to 9). Field experiments suggested...

Firefly flashing has attracted the attention of both poets and scientists for over a century. Here we study the effect of temperature on the flash duration of the Indian species of the firefly Luciola praeusta Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae). Recording in vivo time-resolved spectra of specimens of this species of firefly over the temperature range 20 °C-40 °C, it is observed that the flash duration changes with the change in temperature, and the change is substantially linear. This finding implies that the speed of the enzyme-catalysed chemiluminescence reaction, which produces the light of the firefly, varies linearly with temperature.

1. Microphotographs were obtained of a firefly (Photuris sp.) light organ on cinema film at 64 frames per second with the aid of an image intensifier. 2. Analysis of the film indicates that the two light organs usually flash simultaneously, but cases of one organ leading by 32-48 msec are seen. 3. Asynchrony is also observed within the light organ during a flash. Submaximal flashes are comprised of small spots of light ("microsources") which turn on at various times throughout the flash. Their durations average 139 ± 3 (S.E.) msec (range 31-360 msec) compared with 300-425 msec for an organ flash. Microsources are of fairly uniform size and shape having an average diameter of 21.6 ± 0.3 µ. (S.E.) and a range of 11-36 µ. Microsources of this size are also seen as time functional unit of uncoordinated emission displays known as scintillation. It is suggested that the microsource is the smallest physiological unit of function in the firefly light organ. 4. Comparisons of glowing organs with histological sections demonstrate that the center portions of the "rosettes" are dark, and the centrifugal elements of the rosettes (the photocytes) emit light. 5. Microsources (21.6 µ in diameters) are somewhat smaller than the measured length of photocytes (34 µ) but larger than the width (8-10 µ). Thus the functional unit is identified as the center portions of 2 or 3 adjacent photocytes. 6. The whole organ flash is the integration of briefer staggered responses of a population of these single units which have activities of variable duration and intensities.

The aggregative, synchronously flashing firefly, Pteroptyx tener congregates on a nightly basis on Berembang trees (Sonneratia caseolaris) growing along the lower reaches of the Selangor River (West Malaysia). Every night, the males and females of this species engage one another in a pre-mating ritual of flash communication. Little is known of the dietary requirements of the adults of P. tener apart from suggestions that these beetles feed on the nectar and sap of mangrove trees. The drastic reduction in their numbers in recent years has sparked an urgency to understand their dietary needs. Here, we report on a series of probing experiments where we sequenced and analysed DNA fragments obtained from the gut contents of adult P. tener specimens. We detected coding and non-coding chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) gene sequences in the gut DNA extracts of P. tener. One DNA sequence was in reasonably good condition to allow us to match it to the cpDNA sequence of a Malvacean, that is, Heritiera littoralis, a common inhabitant of estuarine habitats. We also detected the DNA sequences of plants (cultivated and natural) that may have come from hamlets or isolated freshwater swamps located further inland. The findings reported here provide early indication that P. tener may be able to travel further inland to search for their hosts. Future research should focus on visually confirming if P. tener feeds on H. littoralis and obtaining a more complete reference DNA database of plants in the firefly habitat.

Cypridina luciferin from the luminous ostracod Cypridina (Vargula) hilgendorfii has an imidazopyrazinone core structure (3,7-dihydroimidazopyrazin-3-one), which is identical to that of coelenterazine. Cypridina luciferyl sulfate (3-enol sulfate of Cypridina luciferin) was isolated for the first time and the chemical structure was identified by LC/ESI–TOF–MS analysis. Furthermore, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate was chemically synthesized, and its absorption and MS/MS spectra were in agreement with that of Cypridina luciferyl sulfate isolated. Using the crude extracts of Cypridina specimens, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate could be converted to Cypridina luciferin in the presence of adenosine 3′,5′-diphosphate (PAP), and Cypridina luciferin was converted to Cypridina luciferyl sulfate in the presence of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). These results suggested that a sulfotransferase catalyzes the reversible sulfation of Cypridina luciferin in Cypridina hilgendorfii. In aqueous solution, Cypridina luciferyl sulfate was more stable than Cypridina luciferin and might be a storage form of Cypridina luciferin.

We report the complete mitochondrial genome of firefly, Luciola curtithorax. The circular genome of 16,882 bp has a base composition of A (44.98%), C (11.84%), G (8.15%), and T (35.03%). Our sequence is similar to other Metazoa, which contains 13 protein-coding genes. All 13 protein-coding genes were initiated by the ATN (ATT, ATA, and ATG) codon. Ten protein-coding genes stopped with TAA or TAG codon and the other three genes have an incomplete termination codon, a single T––. We sequenced the mitochondrial genome of fireflies to analyze phylogenetic relationships and deduce the evolution of their flashing signals.

The Neotropical genus LucernutaLaporte, 1833 comprises a mixed assembly of taxa, whose diagnoses currently overlaps with some species listed under CratomorphusMotschulsky, 1853. Here, we review, provide new biological data, and update the geographic range of the species currently listed under Lucernuta in McDermott 1966. We propose the following nomenclatural decisions: Lucernuta fenestrataGermar, 1824 is considered a junior synonym of L. savigniiKirby, 1818; Lucernuta minutaPic, 1930 is transferred to Cratomorphus, therefore generating the new combination C. minutusPic, 1930; L. hammariMcDermott, 1959 is considered a junior synonym of Platylampis diversithoraxPic, 1943; Lucernuta paraguayensisMcDermott, 1960 is considered a junior synonym of Cratomorphus besckeiOlivier, 1895. Therefore, Lucernuta is regarded as monotypic, with L. savignii as the sole species in this genus, which is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Moreover, we designate a lectotype and describe for the first time the female of C. minutus. We also provide a key to Lamprocerini genera, in addition to new diagnoses, distribution maps, and illustrations of diagnostic features for the four species studied here: L. savignii, P. diversithorax. C. besckei and C. minutus, and highlight issues that should be addressed in the future towards a revised classification of Cratomorphus.

Photuris walldoxeyi Faust, new species, is described as a member of the Photuris versicolor species-group. It can be distinguished by its complex, unique flash-train + glow (FT+G) male courtship flash pattern, one of the most easily recognizable displays in North America. The primary FT+G male courtship pattern consists of a flash-train of 4–9 bright, quick, rhythmic pulses given every 0.4 seconds followed by a prolonged diffuse glow (ca. 1 second) of medium intensity at 17° C while the male hovers flashing near the tips of the branches of bald cypress and swamp vegetation growing in water. The primary FT+G is often followed immediately by a 2-pulsed secondary FT+G that effectively increases the male's visibility. Photuris walldoxeyi has thus far been confirmed in cypress and tupelo-cypress swamps of Mississippi, west Tennessee, and Indiana. During its month-long flight from May to mid-June, peak numbers are present ca. 900–1200 modified growing degree days.

During the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse across the United States, males of the dusk active firefly species Photinus pyralis (L.) were observed flashing at sites experiencing the totality portion of the eclipse which formed a band 113 km wide. Observers at 10 sites from Missouri to North Carolina reported observing this flash activity across a path stretching 912 km across the states where remnant late season populations of P. pyralis were active. Possible mechanisms for triggering firefly flashing behavior are discussed in the context of a total solar eclipse.

Dependences of light emission from fireflies on external factors like temperature and magnetic field have been studied in recent times. Interesting conclusions have been drawn and hypotheses put forward in those studies. Here we report steady-state and time-resolved emissions of the Indian species of the firefly Luciola praeusta Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) at temperatures below 20°C. Intensity profiles of emission spectra remain the same as those recorded at normal or high temperatures. Two-flash combinations are frequently formed, giving the appearance of the resolution of a simple flash into two. Simple flashes also become abnormally broad with no uniformity in the increase of their durations. The flashes obtained from fireflies at low temperatures are compared and contrasted with the ones under a strong static magnetic field.

Fireflies are well known for the use of bioluminescence for sexual communication. In species using flash signals for pair formation, species and sexual identity are conferred by flash timing parameters such as flash duration, flash interval, flash number, and response delay. In dialog fireflies in North America, the male is the advertiser and the female is the responder. In these species, the male flash signal parameter varies depending on species, but the female flash signal parameter is limited only to response delay. However, in fireflies other than dialog fireflies, sexual flash communication is not well studied. Although many female-advertisement-like fireflies are reported, we have no confirmed case of sexual communication in a female-advertisement species. Here, we report the sexual flash communication of an Asian firefly, Luciola (Hotaria) parvula, in which the female flashes spontaneously. By using an electronic firefly, we confirm experimentally that males are specifically attracted to flashes with a female-specific flash duration. This is the first experimental report of sexual communication of a female advertiser in firefly communication. In this species, females call males usually with spontaneous flashes unlike dialog fireflies.