Lucidota atra

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Lucidota atra
Lucidota atra P1630551a.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lampyridae
Genus: Lucidota
Species:
L. atra
Binomial name
Lucidota atra
(G. Olivier, 1790)

Lucidota atra, the black firefly, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is found in Central America and North America.[1][2][3] Fireflies females lay eggs (sometimes bio-luminescent) in moist soils, for some aquatic species, eggs are laid in the ponds. Firefly in larvae stage haunt for snails, slugs, and other small insects. This stage lasts 1-2 years. They gain most nutrition and chemicals during that period. The molting occurs constantly as firefly grows. Adult fireflies despite having mouth parts, do not need to feed. However, sometimes they eat but not for nutritional purpose. Fireflies were observed feeding on milkweed both in adult and larvae stages. It could show that consumption of milkweed makes a good deterrent for predators, however more research is needed for fireflies.

Firefly Cluster[]

The use of flashing lights in finding partner sometimes causes an interesting behavior. Fireflies male tend to form a group around a female. This behavior is exhibited when signaling between female and one particular male is also perceived by nearby males which respond. In the process one male usually closest, will succeed in reaching mate partner. Others responders to a signal will cluster 0-15 cm away from the already established couple and form cluster. [4]

References[]

  1. ^ "Lucidota atra Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
  2. ^ "Lucidota atra". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
  3. ^ Jonathan Copeland, Andrew Moiseff, Lynn Faust (14 January 2008). "Landing distance in a synchronic North American firefly". Physiological Entomology.

Further reading[]

  • Lobl, I.; Smetana, A., eds. (2007). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 4: Elateroidea - Derodontoidea - Bostrichoidea - Lymexyloidea - Cleroidea - Cucujoidea. Apollo Books. ISBN 978-8788757675.

External links[]


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