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Cyphonocerinae Genera incertae sedis: |
Lampyridae is a family in the beetle order Coleoptera, members of which are commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs or (ambiguously) "glow worms" due to their conspicuous nocturnal (or, more accurately, crepuscular) use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Arthropods are Animals belonging to the Phylum Arthropoda (from Greek ἄρθρον arthron, " Joint " Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Neoptera is a classification group that includes almost all the winged Insects specifically those that can flex their wings over their abdomens The Endopterygota, also known as Holometabola, are Insects of the subclass Pterygota which go through distinctive Larval Pupal Beetles are the group of Insects with the largest number of known Species. Polyphaga is the largest and most diverse Suborder of Beetles Polyphaga comprises 144 families in 16 superfamilies and displays an enormous variety of specialization Elateriformia is an Infraorder of Polyphagan Beetles The two largest families in this group are buprestids, of which there are around 15000 Elateroidea is a large Superfamily of Beetles It contains the familiar Click beetles fireflies, and Soldier beetles and their Pierre André Latreille ( November 20, 1762 - February 6, 1833) was a French entomologist. Year 1817 ( MDCCCXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common In Biological classification, family ( Latin The Cyphonocerinae are a Subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae) with only a few handful of Species in (presumably 2 Genera found in North The Lampyrinae are a large Subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae) The Luciolinae are among the largest Subfamilies of fireflies ( Lampyridae) The Ototetrinae are a small and somewhat disputed Subfamily in the firefly family ( Lampyridae) The Photurinae are a Subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae) They contain many of the well-known North American Species, such as the Pennsylvania A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Incertae sedis ( Latin for "of uncertain placement" abbreviated "inc In Biological classification, family ( Latin Beetles are the group of Insects with the largest number of known Species. This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used Glowworm (or glow-worm) is the common name for various different groups of insect Larva and adult Larviform females which glow through As an Animal behavior, nocturnality describes sleeping during the Daytime and being active at Night - the opposite of the diurnal Crepuscular is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during Twilight, hence at Dawn and at Dusk. Bioluminescence' is the production and emission of Light by a living Organism as the result of a chemical reaction during which chemical energy is converted Fireflies are capable of producing a "cold light" containing no ultraviolet or infrared rays, with a wavelength from 510 to 670 nanometers, pale reddish, yellowish or green in colour, with a lighting efficiency of up to 96%. Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays Infrared ( IR) radiation is Electromagnetic radiation whose Wavelength is longer than that of Visible light, but shorter than that of A nanometre ( American spelling: nanometer, symbol nm) ( Greek: νάνος nanos dwarf; μετρώ metrό count) is a Luminous efficacy is a property of Light sources which indicates what portion of the emitted Electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision.
There are more than 2000 species of firefly found in temperate and tropical environments around the world. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. The Tropics are centered on the Equator and limited in Latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23°26' (23 Many species can be found in marshes or in wet, wooded areas where their larvae have abundant sources of food. A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example
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Biology
Fireflies tend to be brown and soft-bodied, often with the elytra more leathery than in other beetles. The scanning electron microscope ( SEM) is a type of Electron microscope that images the sample surface by scanning it with a high-energy beam of Electrons An elytron (plural elytra) is a modified hardened Forewing of certain Insect orders notably Beetles (Coleoptera and true bugs ( Hemiptera Though the females of some species are similar in appearance to males, larviform females are found in many other firefly species. Larviform female is biological phenomenon occurring in some species where the females in the adult stage of metamorphosis resemble the larvae to various degrees These females can often be distinguished from the larvae only because they have compound eyes. The most commonly known fireflies are nocturnal, though there are numerous species that are diurnal. In Animal behavior, diurnality indicates an Animal that is active during the Daytime and rests during the Night. Most diurnal species are non-luminescent, though some species that remain in shadowy areas can produce light.
A few days after mating, a female lays her fertilized eggs on or just below the surface of the ground. The eggs hatch 3-4 weeks later and the larva feed until the end of the summer. The larvae are commonly called glowworms, not to be confused with the distinct beetle family Phengodidae or fly genus Arachnocampa. Glowworm (or glow-worm) is the common name for various different groups of insect Larva and adult Larviform females which glow through The Beetle family Phengodidae is known also as glowworm beetles, whose Larvae are known as Glowworms. Arachnocampa is a genus of four Fungus gnat species which are in their Larval stage Glowworms They are found mostly in New Zealand Lampyrid larvae have simple eyes. The term glowworm is also used for both adults and larvae of species such as Lampyris noctiluca, the common European glowworm, in which only the non-flying adult females glow brightly and the flying males glow only very weakly and intermittently. Lampyris noctiluca, the Common Glow-worm of Europe (see also " Glowworm " is a Firefly Species of the Fireflies overwinter (some species for several years) during the larval stage. Insect winter ecology entails the Overwinter survival strategies of Insects which are in many respects more similar to those of plants than to many other animals Some do this by burrowing underground, while others find places on or under the bark of trees. They emerge in the spring. After several weeks of feeding, they pupate for 1 to 2. A pupa ( Latin pupa for doll pl pupae or pupas) is the life stage of some Insects undergoing transformation 5 weeks and emerge as adults. The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other larvae, terrestrial snails, and slugs. The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the Slug is a common non-scientific word which is often applied to any Gastropod mollusk whatsoever that has a very reduced shell a small internal shell Some are so specialized that they have grooved mandibles which deliver digestive fluids directly to their prey. Insect mandibles are a pair of appendages near the insect’s mouth and the most anterior of the three pairs of oral appendages (the Labrum is more anterior but The diet of adults is variable. It has been reported that some are predatory, while others feed on plant pollen or nectar. Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes ( pollen grains) which produce the male Gametes (sperm cells of Nectar is a Sugar -rich liquid produced by plants It is produced either by the Flowers in which it attracts pollinating animals or by extrafloral
Light production
Light production in fireflies is due to a chemical reaction that occurs in specialized light-emitting organs, usually on the lower abdomen. In Biology, an organ ( Latin: organum, "instrument tool" from Greek όργανον - organon "organ instrument The enzyme luciferase acts on luciferin in this organ to stimulate light emission. Luciferase is a generic name for Enzymes commonly used in nature for Bioluminescence. Luciferins (from the Latin Lucifer, "light-bringer" are a class of light-emitting Biological pigments found in organisms capable of Bioluminescence Genes coding for these substances have been inserted into many different organisms (see Luciferase - Applications). History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance Luciferase is a generic name for Enzymes commonly used in nature for Bioluminescence. Luciferase is also used in forensics, and the enzyme has medical uses.
For adult beetles, it is primarily used to locate other individuals of the same species for reproduction. Many species, especially in the genus Photinus, are distinguished by the unique courtship flash patterns emitted by flying males in search of females. Photinus females generally do not fly, but give a flash response to males of their own species.
Bioluminescence is a very efficient process. Some 90% of the energy a firefly uses to create light is actually converted into visible light. By comparison, an incandescent electric bulb can convert only 10 percent of total energy used into visible light, and the remainder is emitted as heat.
Tropical fireflies, particularly in Southeast Asia (Thailand and Malaysia), routinely synchronize their flashes among large groups, a startling example of spontaneous biological order. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and This phenomenon occurs through the night along river banks in the Malaysian jungles every day of the year. Current hypotheses about the causes of this behavior involve diet, social interaction, and altitude. In the United States, one of the most famous sightings of fireflies blinking in unison occurred near Elkmont, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains during the second week of June 2005[1]. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In Music, a unison () is an interval, the ratio of 11 or 0 half steps and zero cents. Elkmont was a former Community in the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee, located in the Southeastern United States. The Great Smoky Mountains are a major Mountain range in the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains, the second ridge line forming a north-south running mountain Congaree National Park in South Carolina is another host to the phenomenon [2]. Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of Old growth bottomland Hardwood Forest left in the United States. South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America.
Female Photuris fireflies are known for mimicking the mating flashes of other fireflies for the sole purpose of predation. Photuris is a Genus of fireflies ( Beetles of the family Lampyridae wherein are the Femme fatale fireflies Target males are attracted to what appears to be a suitable mate, and are then eaten. For this reason the Photuris female is sometimes referred to as "femme fatale". A femme fatale (plural femmes fatales) is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire often leading them into
Many fireflies do not produce light. Usually these species are diurnal, or day-flying, such as those in the genus Ellychnia. A few diurnal fireflies that primarily inhabit shadowy places, such as beneath tall plants or trees, are luminescent. One such genus is Lucidota.
All fireflies glow as larvae. Bioluminescence serves a different function in lampyrid larvae than it does in adults. It appears to be a warning signal to predators, since many firefly larvae contain chemicals that are distasteful or toxic.
Systematics
Firefly systematics, as with many insects, are in a constant state of flux, as new species continue to be discovered. The five subfamilies listed above are the most commonly accepted ones, though others such as the Amydetinae and Psilocladinae have been proposed. In Biological classification, family ( Latin This was mainly done in an attempt to revise the Lampyrinae, which by and by had become something of a "wastebin taxon" to hold incertae sedis species and genera of fireflies. The Lampyrinae are a large Subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae) Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon or dustbin taxon) is a term used in taxonomic circles to refer to a Taxon that has the sole purpose Incertae sedis ( Latin for "of uncertain placement" abbreviated "inc Other changes are occasionally proposed, such as merging the Ototetrinae into the Luciolinae, but the arrangement used here appears to be the most frequently-seen and stable layout, at least for the time being. The Ototetrinae are a small and somewhat disputed Subfamily in the firefly family ( Lampyridae) The Luciolinae are among the largest Subfamilies of fireflies ( Lampyridae)
Fireflies and humans
Fireflies were a part of ancient Mayan mythology, often being associated with the stars. This is a list of United States state insects note that some states have more than one designated insect or have multiple categories (e The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern The Maya civilization is a Mesoamerican Civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the Pre-Columbian Americas Further, they were associated with cigar smoking and may have had at least one representative in the pantheon of Mayan gods (Lopes 2004). A cigar is a tightly rolled bundle of dried and fermented Tobacco which is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the smoker's mouth A pantheon (from Greek Πάνθειον - pantheion, literally "a temple of all gods " neut Maya mythology is part of Mesoamerican mythology and comprises all those Mayan tales in which personified forces of nature deities and the heroes interacting with these play the main
In East Asia, the ancient Chinese sometimes captured fireflies in transparent or semi-transparent containers and used them as (short-term) lanterns. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National A lantern is a Portable Lighting device used to illuminate broad areas Some species of the genus Luciola (hotaru, 蛍) rival the famous sakura cherry blossoms as regards their significance in Japanese culture and folklore. This article is about the Genus of firefly Beetles For the Novel by José de Alencar, see Lucíola. The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over millenia from the country's prehistoric Jomon culture to its contemporary hybrid culture which combines influences from Asia Japanese folklore is the Folklore of Japan. It is heavily influenced by both Shinto and Buddhism, the two primary religions in the country
The Pennsylvania Firefly (Photuris pennsylvanica) is the state insect of Pennsylvania, and the Common Eastern Firefly (Photinus pyralis) one of the state insects of Tennessee. This is a list of United States state insects note that some states have more than one designated insect or have multiple categories (e The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. At one point, Indiana seriously considered making the State's insect a firefly, but the legislature never put the measure to a vote. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union
The spectacular synchronized flashing by Pteroptyx and other Luciolinae fireflies has potential economic significance. The Luciolinae are among the largest Subfamilies of fireflies ( Lampyridae) Notably on the Selangor River at Kampong Kuantan (close to Kuala Selangor, Malaysia), it has become a major attraction for tourists which create considerable revenue. Selangor River is a major river in Selangor, Malaysia. It runs from Kuala Kubu Bharu in the east and empties into the Straits of Malacca at Kuala Selangor is a town located in Selangor, Malaysia, and is capital of an administrative district of the same name For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and
References
- http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/hotaru-net/. A site about Japanese aquatic firefly habits, life-history, biology, resources, and activities.
- http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/hotaru-net/photo/firefly.html
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi
- http://www.iisc.ernet.in/academy/resonance/Sept2002/pdf/Sept2002p49-55.pdf
- Branham, M. A. , and J. W. Wenzel. 2003. The origin of photic behavior and the evolution of sexual communication in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Cladistics 19: 1-22.
- Lopes, Luís. 2004. Some notes on fireflies. Mesoweb. http://www.mesoweb.com/features/lopes/Fireflies.pdf
- Stous, Hollend. 1997. A review of predation in Photuris, and its effects on the evolution of flash signaling in other New World fireflies. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en507/papers_1997/stous.html
- http://www.fireflies.tk . A site about the Firefly meeting 2007 in Portugal and information on fireflies in general.
- http://pirilampos-lightalive.blogspot.com/. A site about bioluminescence and Firefly project in Portugal.
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