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Firefly
The Lampyridae are a family of elateroid beetles with more than 2,000 described species, many of which are light-emitting. They are soft-bodied beetles commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glowworms for their conspicuous production of light, mainly during twilight, to attract mates. The type species is '' Lampyris noctiluca'', the common glow-worm of Europe. Light production in the Lampyridae is thought to have originated as a warning signal that the larvae were distasteful. This ability to create light was then co-opted as a mating signal and, in a further development, adult female fireflies of the genus '' Photuris'' mimic the flash pattern of the '' Photinus'' beetle to trap their males as prey. Fireflies are found in temperate and tropical climates. Many live in marshes or in wet, wooded areas where their larvae have abundant sources of food. Although all known fireflies glow as larvae, only some species produce light in their adult stage, and the location ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is the emission of light during a chemiluminescence reaction by living organisms. Bioluminescence occurs in multifarious organisms ranging from marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some Fungus, fungi, microorganisms including some bioluminescent bacteria, Dinoflagellate, dinoflagellates and terrestrial arthropods such as Firefly, fireflies. In some animals, the light is bacteriogenic, produced by symbiosis, symbiotic bacteria such as those from the genus ''Vibrio''; in others, it is autogenic, produced by the animals themselves. In most cases, the principal chemical reaction in bioluminescence involves the reaction of a substrate called luciferin and an enzyme, called luciferase. Because these are generic names, luciferins and luciferases are often distinguished by the species or group, e.g. firefly luciferin or Vargulin, cypridina luciferin. In all characterized cases, the enzyme Catalysis, catalyzes the Redox, oxidation of the luciferin resultin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photinus (beetle)
The rover fireflies (''Photinus'') are a genus of firefly, fireflies (family (biology), family Lampyridae). They are the type genus of tribe (biology), tribe Photinini in subfamily Lampyrinae. This genus contains, for example, the common Eastern Firefly, common eastern firefly (''P. pyralis''), the most common species of firefly in North America. Male ''Photinus'' beetles emit a flashing bioluminescence, light pattern to signal for females. Illegitimate receivers, such as female ''Photuris (genus), Photuris'' beetles, identify these signals and use them to locate the male ''Photinus'', attract them Aggressive mimicry, with deceptive signals, and eat them. An important study on the diversity of species in the United States, USA and their visual communication was by Lloyd (1966) Etymology ''Photinus'' is from the Greek word for shining or bright. Systematics The closest living relative of the rover fireflies is not yet determined with certainty. In morphology (biology), morphol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photuris Lucicrescens
''Photuris lucicrescens'', the long crescendo ''Photuris'', July comet, big scary, or big Lucy, is a species of beetle in the Lampyridae family. It is found in the eastern United States. Description ''P. lucicrescens'' is a large firefly, with adults measuring long. They appear to be hunchbacked when viewed from the side. They have brown wing covers, or elytra, with wide light-colored side margins and stripes in the center of each side, starting from the shoulder and extending almost the entire length of the body. The head shield, or pronotum, is yellow, with a dark arrow in the center, which is often interrupted, appearing as two separate marks. The dark central mark is bounded by red or orange. ''Photuris'' fireflies have longer legs than species in the other common firefly genus in the United States, ''Photinus''. The legs are pale close to the body. Lanterns are visible on the abdomen as pale segments. Etymology ''Photuris'' has its origins in the Greek words for light, "ph ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chespiritoinae
''Chespirito'' is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae). They are the type genus and sole constituent of the subfamily Chespiritoinae. This genus is somewhat unusual among fireflies in a complete lack of bioluminescent Bioluminescence is the emission of light during a chemiluminescence reaction by living organisms. Bioluminescence occurs in multifarious organisms ranging from marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms inc ... organs in the adults. Distribution ''Chespirito'' is only known to occur in Mexico but is hypothesized to occur in nearby countries, such as Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Systematics and nomenclature The genus ''Chespirito'' is not closely related to any other firefly lineages, and is given placement as the sole member of its own subfamily. The genus name is in homage to the Mexican actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños, commonly known by his stage name Chespirito, or "Little Shakespeare". Species * '' Chespirito bal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elateroidea
The Elateroidea are a large superfamily of beetles. It contains the familiar click beetles, fireflies, and soldier beetles and their relatives. It consists of about 25,000 species. Description Elateroidea is a morphologically diverse group, including hard-bodied beetles with 5 abdominal ventrites, soft-bodied beetles with 7-8 ventrites connected with membranes (formerly known as cantharoids), and beetles with intermediate forms. They have a range of sizes and colours, but in terms of shape, they are usually narrow and parallel-sided as adults. Many of the sclerotised elateroids ( Cerophytidae, Eucnemidae, Throscidae, Elateridae) have a clicking mechanism. This is a peg on the prothorax which fits into a cavity in the mesothorax. When a click beetle bends its body, the peg snaps into the cavity, causing the beetle's body to straighten so suddenly that it jumps into the air. Most beetles capable of bioluminescence are in the Elateroidea, in the families Lampyridae (~2000 s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photurinae
The Photurinae are a subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae). They contain many of the well-known North American species, such as the Pennsylvania firefly (''Photuris pennsylvanica''), state insect of Pennsylvania. They are among the "flashing" (as opposed to continuous-glow) fireflies known as "lightning bugs" in North America, although they are not too distantly related to the flashing fireflies in the Lampyrinae; as the most basal lineages of that subfamily do not produce light at all, the Photurinae's flashing signals seem to be convergent evolution.Stanger-Hall, Kathrin F.; Lloyd, James E. & Hillis, David M. (2007): Phylogeny of North American fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae): Implications for the evolution of light signals. '' Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.'' 45(1): 33-49. PDF fulltext/ref> The genus ''Photuris'' is often called "''femme fatale'' fireflies", due to the females' habit of imitating other "lightning bugs'" flashes, to attract, kill, and eat them. Their prey includes ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oculogryphus
''Oculogryphus'', is an Asian genus of firefly beetles: it has been placed in the Ototretinae or may be considered ''incertae sedis''. The genus contains 4 species. The type species '' O. fulvus'' was discovered from Vietnam. Description Antennae filiform. Large compound eyes are deeply emarginated posteriorly. There are eight abdominal ventrites. No photogenic organs. Females of this genus can fluoresce with a blue-green light whole body. Species rely on photic cues for purposes of mating. Body shape of male is elongate oval. Species * '' Oculogryphus bicolor'' Jeng, Branham & Engel, 2011 - Vietnam * '' Oculogryphus chenghoiyanae'' Yiu & Jeng, 2018 - Hong Kong * '' Oculogryphus fulvus'' Jeng, 2007 - Vietnam * '' Oculogryphus shuensis'' Jeng & Engel, 2014 - China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), sec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cheguevariinae
''Cheguevaria'' is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae), and the sole member of the subfamily Cheguevariinae. Distribution ''Cheguevaria'' are found in the Caribbean. Systematics and nomenclature The genus ''Cheguevaria'' is of uncertain relationships, though possibly related to Amydetinae, and has been given placement as the sole member of its own subfamily, after previously being considered as ''incertae sedis'' within the Lampyridae. The genus name is in homage to Marxist revolutionary leader Che Guevara Ernesto "Che" Guevara (14th May 1928 – 9 October 1967) was an Argentines, Argentine Communist revolution, Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, Guerrilla warfare, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and Military theory, military theorist. A majo .... Species * '' Cheguevaria angusta'' Kazantsev, 2006 from the Dominican Republic * '' Cheguevaria taino'' Kazantsev, 2006 from Puerto Rico * '' Cheguevaria montana'' Kazantsev, 2008 from Puerto Rico References Lamp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Photuris
''Photuris'' is a genus of firefly, fireflies (beetles of the family (biology), family Lampyridae). These are the ''femme fatale'' lightning bugs of North America. This common name refers to a behavior of the adult females of these predatory beetles; they engage in aggressive mimicry, imitating the light signals of other firefly species' females to attract matesbut ''Photuris'' use it to attract, kill and eat the unsuspecting males of those other species. Their flashing bioluminescent signals seem to have evolved independently and eventually adaptation, adapted to those of their prey, mainly unrelated Lampyrinae, such as ''Photinus (beetle), Photinus'' (rover fireflies) or ''Pyractomena''. Species At least 64 species are currently recognized, all restricted to temperate North America. They mainly occur from the East Coast to Texas. Species include: *' – Barber, 1951 *''Photuris bethaniensis''– McDermott, 1953 *' – Barber, 1951 *' – Barber, 1951 *'– ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ototretinae
The Ototretinae are a small subfamily in the firefly family ( Lampyridae). They are close to the Luciolinae in some respects, but do not glow or flash. Rather, they attract their partners with pheromones like many relatives of the firefly family. They are found in Eurasia and North America. They have sometimes been included in the Luciolinae: as the Ototretini, but it appears that this tribe may not be monophyletic; the puzzling '' Stenocladius'' could well be close enough to the Cyphonocerinae to be included there. Genera ''BioLib'' includes the following genera: * '' Baolacus'' Pic, 1915 * '' Brachylampis'' Van Dyke, 1939 * '' Brachypterodrilus'' Pic, 1918 * '' Ceylanidrilus'' Pic, 1911 * '' Drilaster'' Kiesenwetter, 1879 * '' Emasia'' Bocakova and Janisova, 2010 * '' Eugeusis'' Westwood, 1853 * '' Falsophaeopterus'' Pic, 1911 * '' Flabellopalpodes'' Bocakova and Bocak, 2016 * '' Flabellototreta'' Pic, 1911 * '' Gorhamia'' Pic, 1911 * '' Harmatelia'' Walker, 1858 * '' Hydasp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyphonocerinae
''Cyphonocerus'' is a genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ... of fireflies ( Lampyridae) within the monotypic subfamily Cyphonocerinae. Species The genus contains 15 species from Asia: * '' Cyphonocerus harmandi'' * '' Cyphonocerus hwadongensis'' * '' Cyphonocerus inelegans'' * '' Cyphonocerus jenniferae'' * '' Cyphonocerus melanopterus'' * '' Cyphonocerus marginatus'' * '' Cyphonocerus nigrithorax'' * '' Cyphonocerus okinawanus'' * '' Cyphonocerus ruficollis'' * '' Cyphonocerus sanguineus'' * '' Cyphonocerus sylvicola'' * '' Cyphonocerus taiwanus'' * '' Cyphonocerus triangulus'' * '' Cyphonocerus watarii'' * '' Cyphonocerus yayeyamensis'' References Lampyridae Taxa described in 1879 {{firefly-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lampyrinae
The Lampyrinae are a large subfamily of fireflies ( Lampyridae). The exact delimitation, and the internal systematics, have until recently been a matter of debate; for long this group was used as a " wastebin taxon" to hold any fireflies with insufficiently resolved relationships. Regardless, they are very diverse even as a good monophyletic group, containing flashing and continuous-glow fireflies from the Holarctic and some tropical forms as well. The ancestral Lampyrinae probably had no or very primitive light signals; in any case several modern lineages appear to have returned to the pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ... communication of their ancestors independently.Stanger-Hall, Kathrin F.; Lloyd, James E. & Hillis, David M. (2007): Phylogeny of North Ame ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
