Firefly
Larvae are predaceous and have been observed feeding mostly on earthworms, snails
and slugs. Larvae can detect a snail or slug slime trail, and follow it to the prey. After
locating their future meal, they inject an anesthetic type substance through hollow ducts
in the firefly's mandibles into their prey in order to immobilize and eventually digest
it. Multiple larvae have also been observed attacking large prey items, such as large
earthworms. Other observations suggest larvae sometimes scavenge dead snails, worms and
similar organic matter.
Adult Fireflies also have mouth parts suggestive of predation (long
sickle-shaped mandibles). Although it is widely known that fireflies of a few species
mimic the mates of other species in order to attract and devour them, observations of
adults feeding on other prey items are practically non-existent. It is likely however,
that adults might feed on plant nectar in order to sustain their energy requirements in
the adult stage, which can last several months or longer). |
Tricky Insects~
Fireflies Use Aggressive Mimicry Aggressive mimicry is a phenomenon where one organism (a mimic) tricks
another organism (the dupe) into thinking it is another (the model), with the result being
a negative outcome for the dupe, as well as the model. In the case of aggressive mimicry
in fireflies, mated females that belong to a few species in the genus Photuris mimic the
female responses of other fireflies in the same area in order to attract males of the
mimicked species. When these males are tricked (or duped) into landing near these mimics
to mate, they are pounced upon and eaten (Lloyd 1981)! Recent
evidence also suggests that these female mimics are not only acquiring food but also
defensive chemicals from their prey, which they themselves do not produce in large
quantities (Eisner et al. 1997). |