Firefly mating ritual
The fireflies mating season generally extends over two weeks and occurs annually. The exact times of the year which fireflies start to present can vary each year, scientists still haven't discovered exactly what triggers the fireflies to begin their yearly ritual except that the temperature and soil moisture play a small part. Unfortunately it is very difficult to guess precisely when they will begin to flash in advance. Once the season initiates, a small proportion of individual insects begin to flash, then slowly as time goes on more begin to flash. Their numbers are at their most when the largest number of fireflies are displaying their lights. Once the peak is reached the insect numbers gradually begin to decline each day as the mating season comes to a close.
The insects display during the two weeks of the mating season reduces in quality depending on environmental factors. Factors such as temperature, rainfall and even the phase of the moon. On damp, wet or evening of heavy fog, it is possible the fireflies may not display their flashes. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, can also put off light displays for the night. The phase of the moon also effects the timing of the night displays, with nights of full moon and bright moonlight causing the insects to begin flashing much later then usual (McElroy,W.D. 1951)
Flashing etiquette
In the Photuris firefly group, their flashing serves an additional purpose to the other uses. The Photuris female fireflies are expert predators, they are able to replicate the flash given off by females of another species'. They use this false signalling ability to prey on and lure in unwary male Photinus, at which stage they devour them. The female firefly deposits her eggs in the ground after fertilization. This is where larvae are left to mature to adulthood. While underground the larvae feed by injecting organisms such as slugs and worms by injecting them with a numbing fluid. Adults forms avoid such prey and will generally feed on pollen and nectar, although some adults are known to not eat at all as they do not live long enough (Lloyd, J.E. 1971)
Each particular species of firefly has its own unique sequence of flashes to ensure there is no crossbreeding between species. There are many different flash patterns which range from series and sequences of rapid flashes to slow flashes and continuous glows. Each firefly is born with a particular flash unique to it species encoded within its brain.
Each particular species of firefly has its own unique sequence of flashes to ensure there is no crossbreeding between species. There are many different flash patterns which range from series and sequences of rapid flashes to slow flashes and continuous glows. Each firefly is born with a particular flash unique to it species encoded within its brain.
Figure 4. Firefly mid flight
The most common mating ritual for majority of species is as follows:
Firstly, the male firefly navigates his way through the sky flashing his unique flash pattern. While the male billboards his antics the female firefly sits waiting on the ground below. Once she is ready to mate and recognizes a series of flashes she begins to flash the same pattern. The male spots these flashes and once he recognizes them he begins to flash back, slowly getting closer and closer to the female. They continue this flash dialogue until he pinpoints the female and they are able to mate.
Firstly, the male firefly navigates his way through the sky flashing his unique flash pattern. While the male billboards his antics the female firefly sits waiting on the ground below. Once she is ready to mate and recognizes a series of flashes she begins to flash the same pattern. The male spots these flashes and once he recognizes them he begins to flash back, slowly getting closer and closer to the female. They continue this flash dialogue until he pinpoints the female and they are able to mate.
Figure 5. Different firefly flashes and flight paths as they would appear on a time lapse photograph