Why Do Fireflies Glow? Essay -- essays research papers

Why do Fireflies Glow?     Fireflies have evolved the ability to institutionalize from their abdomen as a means of communication with each other. The around important reason for the flashing is for sexual communication. Flash levels have been classify into two systems. One is where a continuously glowing female attracts a non-glowing male. The second is when a female, flashes a species-specific response to a flying male, who is publicise a pulsating signal. There are other functions of flashing as well, such(prenominal) as using their luminescence for lighting up the ground during land and walking. Fireflies also flash when captured or confined, which is thought to intimidate predators. Males can sometimes bend his light organ forward and put it in the side of the female hes mounted, flash it, blinding her since her eyes are sensitive and sufficient to darkness. She will then be unable to see rival males clearly, prevent her from communicating with other potential mates. (Lloyd, 1984a).     A particular genus of firefly, Photuris, has evolved quite an interest behavior. It has learned to mimic the mating flashes of another genus, Photinus. They have "cracked" the species-specific signal codes of their prey, using their own sexual signals against them (Lloyd, 1990). When Photinus males attempt to mate with Photuris, she eats them. This phenomenon is called all aggressive mimicry or predatory responding (Copeland, 1991). T...