The Biology And Behavior Of Two Species Of Aquatic Fireflies In Mainland China

Fireflies are economic beetles for deserving to viewing and as the predators of some species of pest creatures. In addition, they are the mode animals of bioluminescence and sexual communication research. From 2000 to 2005, the morphology, biology and behavior of two species of aquatic firefly were studied. The main results are as follows,1. A new record of a species of aquatic firefly in mainland of China and the description of a new species of aquatic fireflyA synopsis of 6 species of confirmed aquatic fireflies is given. The new distribution of aquatic firefly Luciola substriata Gorham in mainland of China was recorded. One new species of aquatic firefly was discovered in Hubei Province of China and named as Luciola leii sp. nov.. Luciola leii can be easily distinguished from all other congeners by its uniformly orange-yellow dorsal habitus. This character is similar to aquatic firefly L. substriata though the end of elytra of L. substriata are black. The conspicuous distinguish is that male adult L. sbustriata has one "V" shaped light organ in 5^th abdominal segment while L. leii has one rectangle shaped light organ.2. The ultrastructure of external morphology of two species of aquatic firefly The imagal external morphology of two speices of aquatic firefly are similar exceptthe light organ, however, the larval external morphology are different. There are two types of larva in Luciola substriata with the 1^st to 2^nd instar larva 7 pairs of branched tracheal gills located laterally on the 1^st to 7^th abdominal segment while the 3^rd to 6^th instar larva no gills. The morphology of each instar larvae of Luciola leii are similar with 8 pair of treal gills located on 1^st to 8^th lateral abdominal segment. One conspicuous difference between the mature larvae of L. substriata and L. leii is that L. leii possess more and well developed pygypodia than that of L. substriata. The ultrasturecture of the mouthparts between two speices of larvae are similar, both with well developed mandibale and 3 segements of antenna.3. The biology and life cycle of two species of aquatic fireflyL. substriata inhabits ponds and lakes rich in aquatic vegetation while Luciola leii inhabits only shallow, slow-moving rivers, streams, or ditches. The two species of aquatic firefly have lots in common. They are all univoltine, and larvae over winter in water. Mature larvae climb on land to construct pupal cell for pupation, and adults emerge from beginning of May to mid of September. Larvae predate on two species of...