LIGHT EMISSION, SEX ATTRACTION AND MALE FLASH DIALOGUES IN A FIREFLY, LUCIOLA LUSITANICA (CHARP.)

Abstract

SUMMARY In both sexes of L. lusitanica, light emission may consist of flashes as well as of dim light emitted for variable time intervals. Flying males emit an average of 1.08 flashes per second at a temperature of 17°C with occasional dim light emissions during the interflash period. Male flashes may be variable in form and length but are usually composed of a very intense peak accompanied by a series of minor ones. Dim light, which on some occasion has the function of illumination, consists either in a close succession of brief irregular flashes or in a more regular flickering. Females, which do not fly, have little spontaneous flashing activity. Their flashes are usually composed of three peaks, with the interval between the first two peaks increasing exponentially at decreasing temperatures (~ 77 msec at 26°C, 245 msec at 10°C). Females regularly respond with a flash to each light stimulus of steeply rising intensity, regardless of stimulus intensity, length, or spectral range (at least between about ...