Meeting Abstract

P2.14  Jan. 5  Effects of simulated firefly courtships on predatory Photuris fireflies and their prey GODIN, T.M; WADDINGTON, J.R*; CRATSLEY, C.K; Fitchburg State College JWadding@student.fsc.edu

Photinus fireflies use bioluminescent flashes to attract mates. These flashes also attract predatory Photuris fireflies. Photuris versicolor produce spontaneous patrolling flashes consisting of 4-8 pulses, but females have been shown to mimic Photinus females. Little attention has been paid to the potential for male Photinus to avoid inappropriately timed female responses or for Photuris to discriminate among Photinus flashes. Photinus ignitus males produce single pulse flashes to which females respond after a species-specific delay. We explored the potential for male P. ignitus and Photuris to preferentially approach simulated fireflies that varied in pulse number and female response delay using two observational experiments in Lancaster, MA. The first experiment manipulated the number of pulses, from one to four, generated by light emitting diodes (LED) on Virtual Firefly Instruments (VFI). The second experiment used VFI with two LED to simulate courtships using temperature-adjusted response delays of native Photinus species. Flash activity decreased as the season progressed and was correlated across all Photinus species. Photinus flash activity was not correlated with Photuris activity. Photuris were seen more often at treatments with shorter response delays or multiple pulses. P. ignitus activity was greatest when pulse number was lowest and varied irregularly across response delay treatments. We conclude that Photuris are attracted to higher levels of activity in terms of the rate of paired flashes and the number of pulses. P. ignitus males may avoid Photuris predation by seeking out single-pulse flashes, but do not appear to use response delays as a way to identify flash patterns.