Flash Communication: Fireflies at Fifty

Symposium organized by Jonathan Copeland and Albert Carlson

A. Introduction by James F. Case and Frank E. Hanson: The Contributions of John and Elisabeth Buck to Firefly Biology

B. Cell/Molecular Approaches: (Moderated by Helen Ghiradella)

• Helen Ghiradella, SUNY Albany: The mystery of firefly flash control
• June Aprille, University of Richmond: Role of Nitric Oxide and Mitochondria in Control of Firefly Flash
• Albert D. Carlson, State University of New York at Stony Brook: Is the Firefly Flash Controlled By Calcium Channels?

C. Behavioral Ecology Approaches (Moderated by Sara Lewis)

• Nobuyoshi Ohba, Yokosuka City Museum: Communication Systems of Japanese Fireflies
• Sara Lewis, Tufts University: Nuptial gifts and sexual selection in Photinus fireflies
• Christopher K. Cratsley, Fitchburg State University: Flash signals, nuptial gifts and precopulatory mate choice
• Fredric Vencl, State University of New York at Stony Brook: Sexually Selected Allometries in Photinus Fireflies
• Timothy G. Forrest, University of North Carolina at Ashville: Behavioral ecology of a non-flashing firefly

D. Neuroethological Approaches (Moderated by Albert D. Carlson)

• Abner B. Lall, Howard University: Spectral Tuning Between Bioluminescence Emissions And Visual Sensitivities Among Beetles
• James F. Case, University of California at Santa Barbara: Lessons learned from flying fireflies on a stick
• Frank Hanson, University of Maryland Baltimore County: Synchronous Flashing by Asian Fireflies: Mechanisms
• Andrew Moiseff, University of Connecticut: Signal jamming in a synchronic North American Firefly
• Jonathan Copeland, Georgia Southern University: Synchronic flashing in a North American Firefly

E. Science Education Approaches: (Moderated by Christopher Cratsley)

• Lynn Faust, Knoxville, TN: Fireflies as a Catalyst for Science Education
• Michael Doall, State University of New York at Stony Brook: Talking to fireflies: Recruiting the next generation of firefly workers