Flash behavior of a Photuris spp. firefly

Flash behavior of a Photuris spp. firefly. Lawrent L. Buschman and Lynn Faust The flash behavior of Photuris fireflies is difficult to study because they often have several flash patterns and they often occur together with other firefly species in the same habitats which makes it difficult to be sure which firefly species is being observed. In eastern Tennessee the firefly Photuris versicolor quadrifulgens is one of the first fireflies to appear over grassy pastures in spring. This makes it easier to study the flash behavior of this Photuris firefly. This firefly is known to produce flash patterns of 2 to 5 flashes which one can follow to see that individuals can change the number of pulses in a pattern as they fly. There are also flicker flashes in these populations which are thought to be produced by the same insects, however, it is much more difficult to see individuals switch from flashes to flickers or from flickers to flashes. We describe the flash patterns of this firefly and the seasonal and nocturnal occurrence of the flash patterns. We also describe flash exchange between males and females and associate male flash patterns with female occurrence.