Meeting Abstract

P2.11  Jan. 5  White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) as potential predators of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): the roles of lucibufagins and bioluminescence. WILSON, K. F.*; TYLENDA, J. L.; MOOSMAN, P. R.; CRATSLEY, C. K.; Fitchburg State College chasenmocha@aol.com

Adult fireflies and their larvae are toxic or distasteful to several vertebrate species because of the steroidal pyrones, lucibufagins. Larval bioluminescence has been demonstrated to serve as an aposematic display to some potential vertebrate predators. However, no studies have explored the role of adult bioluminescence flashes as deterrents to terrestrial predators. Our goal was to determine if Peromyscus leucopus, a nocturnal predator of small insects that co-occurs with fireflies in N. America, finds adult fireflies palatable, and if simulated adult bioluminescence affects their foraging behavior. Palatability was assessed by offering P. leucopus untreated mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), as well as mealworms coated with homogenized adult T. molitor, Photinus, Photuris, and Pyractomena fireflies. A separate group of P. leucopus were used in an experiment where mice were allowed to choose between 1 of 2 mealworms positioned on opposite arms of a Y-maze. The mealworms were adjacent to flashing or non-flashing LED. In the palatability experiment mice were not deterred from eating any food choices, with all mice consuming all treatments. When mice were given a choice between flashing and non-flashing prey items, there was no significant difference in prey selected. These results suggest that P. leucopus, unlike other vertebrate predators, is not affected by the chemical defenses of fireflies applied to otherwise palatable prey items. Since there is also no evidence that P. leucopus are deterred by simulated bioluminescent flashes, we speculate that P. leucopus may prey on fireflies in the wild. Additional studies are necessary to assess interactions between P. leucopus and live fireflies.