This Lightening Bug is a Femme Fatale
This lightening bug is a Femme Fatale.
You see, most species of firefly flash light from specialized light-emitting organs on the lower abdomen.
The male flies a special path, unique to his species, while emitting flashes of light. A female, if interested, returns recognisable flashes of light.
But there is an imposter. The female of the Photuris species is much larger.
She imitates the flashing pattern of the smaller Photinus species.
As a way to lure the males of the smaller Photinus species, to their death.
Further Note:
The Photuris also eats the Photinus Male to get its lucibufagin, a defensive steroid that makes them unpalatable to predators such as spiders and birds.
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Scientific classification:
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
infraorder: Elateriformia
Superfamily: Elateroidea
Family: Lampyridae
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Keywords:
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