The Effects Of Artificial Illumination On The Display Behaviour Of The Firefly Pteroptyx tener Olivier (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

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Date
2018-04
Authors
Khoo, Veronica Swee Imm
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
A study on effects of artificial illumination on the Pteroptyx tener Olivier was carried out at Selangor River, Selangor. Studies in the field involved the use of digital night photography, and short and long term exposure to light from a 400W spotlight shining towards the congregating fireflies at the study site. A control site had no artificial light exposure. Short term studies involved exposure of light for 30- minute intervals. The second short term study included short 1-minute intervals of darkness for a total of 3 minutes to allow recovery. Short term exposure to artificial lights had a significant short term effect on flashing behaviour, but recovery took place over time. Continuous illumination for three nights (long term exposure) resulted in a significant long term effect. The long term study suggests that the fireflies moved away from the illuminated area. This suggests that the congregating fireflies are affected even by low light intensities (0.4-1.6 lux) in their natural habitat. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of different light colours on the firefly’s display behaviour. Tests were carried out using blue, green, white, yellow and red lights and compared against a control (no light). Results indicated that firefly sexual behaviour (non-courting, courting and mounting) were not affected by the different lights but flash patterns were negatively affected. Females were not affected by red and yellow lights while males were not affected by red light. White light (multi-spectrum with maximum output at the green region) had the greatest effect on the firefly’s flash patterns followed by blue light and green light.
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Keywords
The effects of artificial illumination , display behaviour of the firefly
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