ACTIVATION OF WARNING LUMINESCENCE BY LARVAL FIREFLY SETAE

摘要

The larval firefly (Photuris versicolor) possesses two tiny lanterns on the sternite of the 8th abdominal segment. These lanterns are activated to produce a warning luminescence whenever the larva is attacked by a predator. Projecting from the lateral, posterior edges of each abdominal segment are single, 500 to 600 micron long, setae that serve as mechanoreceptors and are likely to be bent during attack by a predator. Because the setae project backwards and would be pressed toward the larva's body during its movement through the underbrush, only anterior movement would likely signal a predatory attack. We have investigated movement of these setae to determine whether they play a role in activating the warning luminescence of the larvae.