Fluorescence in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): using sentinel prey to investigate a possible aposematic signal
Abstract
While fireflies are most renowned for their bioluminescent signals, several species also have been shown to possess UV and blue-induced fluorescence. In a field study, we used a sentinel prey approach to investigate whether this trait might serve as an aposematic function in chemically defended fireflies. We also examined and provide the first detailed description of green and red patterns of blue light-induced fluorescence in the adults and larvae of Ellychnia corrusca (L.) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). We placed artificial prey models with and without fluorescent markings in a forested area of Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, where they were exposed to natural predators. Clay models were styled to resemble Photinus fireflies, the most common firefly genus in this area, and a close relative of Ellychnia. The field study was conducted from Oct through May in Belmont, Massachusetts; this is the period when adults of the diurnal non-luminescent firefly E. corrusca are overwintering on trees. We observed considerable seasonal variation in attack rates, and marks on the clay models indicated they were attacked by avian, mammal, and arthropod predators. However, no difference was seen between fluorescent and non-fluorescent models in predator attack rates. This suggests that fireflies’ fluorescent markings do not serve as an aposematic signal, at least for the predator guild active in New England woodlands.
Resumen
Aunque las luciérnagas son más conocidas por sus señales bioluminiscentes, también se ha demostrado que varias especies poseen fluorescencia inducida por UV y azul. En un estudio de campo, utilizamos un enfoque de presa centinela para investigar si este rasgo podría cumplir una función aposemática en luciérnagas defendidas químicamente. También examinamos y proporcionamos la primera descripción detallada de los patrones verdes y rojos de fluorescencia inducida por la luz azul en los adultos y larvas de Ellychnia corrusca (L.) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Colocamos modelos de presas artificiales con y sin marcas fluorescentes en un área de bosque de Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, donde fueron expuestos a depredadores naturales. Los modelos de arcilla fueron diseñados para parecerse a las luciérnagas Photinus, el género de luciérnagas más común en esta área y con una relación cercana a Ellychnia. El estudio de campo se realizó de octubre a mayo en Belmont, Massachusetts, USA; un período en que los adultos de la luciérnaga diurna no luminiscente E. corrusca están hibernando en los árboles. Observamos una considerable variación estacional en las tasas de ataque, y las marcas en los modelos de arcilla indicaron que fueron atacados por depredadores aviares, mamíferos y artrópodos. Sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias entre los modelos fluorescentes y no fluorescentes en las tasas de ataque de depredadores. Esto sugiere que las marcas fluorescentes de las luciérnagas no sirven como una señal aposemática, al menos para el gremio de depredadores activos en los bosques de Nueva Inglaterra.
Key Words: predation; Ellychnia; visual signaling; sensory ecology; lampyrine
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