Abstract
Elaterid beetle larvae. Pyrearinus termitilluminans (sp.n., Costa, 1982.) live in termite mounds in central Brazil. Each larva produces light in the segment immediately behind its head. Larvae were observed to luminesce only during the first weeks of the rainy season, the same times as the ant and termite alate flights. Alates, apparently attracted to P. termitilluminans larval lights, serve as an important food source for the larvae. The prey-catching and food-storing behavior and the phenomenon of bioluminescence are apparently an evolutionary response by P. termitilluminans larvae to a short, rich pulse of food. Prey attraction as a probable cause for luminescence has been suggested only twice before.
Prey attraction as a possible function of bioluminescence in the larvae of Pyrearinus termitilluminans (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Kent H. Redford
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Universty and Department of Zoological Research, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution
ABSTRACT
Elaterid beetle larvae. Pyrearinus termitilluminans (sp.n., Costa, 1982.) live in termite mounds in central Brazil. Each larva produces light in the segment immediately behind its head. Larvae were observed to luminesce only during the first weeks of the rainy season, the same times as the ant and termite alate flights. Alates, apparently attracted to P. termitilluminans larval lights, serve as an important food source for the larvae. The prey-catching and food-storing behavior and the phenomenon of bioluminescence are apparently an evolutionary response by P. termitilluminans larvae to a short, rich pulse of food. Prey attraction as a probable cause for luminescence has been suggested only twice before.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was undertaken while doing research funded by the Organization of American States, National Geographic, Harvard University and Sigma Xi. Particular thanks go to Sonia M. Pereira for assisting me in the field and to the staff of IBDF Brasília and Emas Park for permission and assistance. Dra. Cleide Costa identified the larvae for me and helped with references. B. L. Thorne, A. Raw, and E. Morton kindly read and criticized the manuscript as did J. E. Lloyd, who showed much interest and enthusiasm for this work. J. Sivinski kindly provided me with unpublished manuscripts.
REFERENCES
Branner, J. C., 1910. The luminosity of termites. Science 31:24-25; 32:342.
Buck, J., 1978. Functions and evolutions of bioluminescence, pp. 419-460. In P. J. Herring (Ed.), Bioluminescence in Action. Academic Press, New York.
Costa, C., 1970. Genus Pyrophorus. 3. Life history, larva and pupa of Pyrophorus punctatissimus Blanchard (Col. Elateridae), Papéis Avulsos Zool., S Paulo 23 (8):69-76.
Costa, C., 1975. Systematics and evolution of the tribes Pyrophorini and Heligmini with description of Campyloxeninae, new subfamily (Coleoptera, Elateridae). Arqos Zool., S Paulo 25 (2):49-190.
Costa, C., 1978. Sistemática e bionomia de Pyrearinus Costa, 1975 (Coleoptera, Elateridae). Ibid. 29 (4):185-236.
Costa, C., 1982. Pyrearinus termitilluminans, sp.n., with description of the immature stages (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Pyrophorini). Revta bras. Zool. 1 (1):23-30.
Dubois, R., 1886. Les Elaterides lumineux. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 11:4-64.
Emerson, A. E., 1938. Termite nests - a study of the phytogeny of behavior. Ecol. Mon. 8:248-284.
Harvey, E. N., 1952. Bioluminescence, 649 pp., Academic Press, New York.
Knab, F., 1909. Luminous termite hills. Science 30:574-575.
Lloyd, J. E., 1978. Insect bioluminescence, pp. 241-272. In P. J. Herring (Ed.), Bioluminescence in Action, Academic Press, New York.
Mathews, A. G. A., 1977. Studies on termites from the Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 267 pp., 187 figs., 55 pls. Academia Brasileira de Ciências, Rio de Janeiro.
Neiva, A. & B. Penna, 1916. Viajem scientifica pelo norte da Bahia, sudoeste de Pernambuco, sul do Piauhi e de norte a sul de Goyaz. Mems Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 8 (3):74-224, 28 pls., 1 map.
Sivinski, J. (in press). Prey attraction by luminous larvae of the fungus gnat Orfelia multoni. Ecol. Ent. 7.
Smith, H. H., 1879. Brazil, the Amazons and the Coast, 644 pp. C. Scribner's Sons, New York.
- Branner, J. C., 1910. The luminosity of termites. Science 31:24-25; 32:342.
- Buck, J., 1978. Functions and evolutions of bioluminescence, pp. 419-460. In P. J. Herring (Ed.), Bioluminescence in Action. Academic Press, New York.
- Costa, C., 1970. Genus Pyrophorus. 3. Life history, larva and pupa of Pyrophorus punctatissimus Blanchard (Col. Elateridae), Papéis Avulsos Zool., S Paulo 23 (8):69-76.
- Costa, C., 1975. Systematics and evolution of the tribes Pyrophorini and Heligmini with description of Campyloxeninae, new subfamily (Coleoptera, Elateridae). Arqos Zool., S Paulo 25 (2):49-190.
- Costa, C., 1982. Pyrearinus termitilluminans, sp.n., with description of the immature stages (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Pyrophorini). Revta bras. Zool. 1 (1):23-30.
- Dubois, R., 1886. Les Elaterides lumineux. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 11:4-64.
- Emerson, A. E., 1938. Termite nests - a study of the phytogeny of behavior. Ecol. Mon. 8:248-284.
- Harvey, E. N., 1952. Bioluminescence, 649 pp., Academic Press, New York.
- Knab, F., 1909. Luminous termite hills. Science 30:574-575.
- Lloyd, J. E., 1978. Insect bioluminescence, pp. 241-272. In P. J. Herring (Ed.), Bioluminescence in Action, Academic Press, New York.
- Mathews, A. G. A., 1977. Studies on termites from the Mato Grosso State, Brazil, 267 pp., 187 figs., 55 pls. Academia Brasileira de Ciências, Rio de Janeiro.
- Neiva, A. & B. Penna, 1916. Viajem scientifica pelo norte da Bahia, sudoeste de Pernambuco, sul do Piauhi e de norte a sul de Goyaz. Mems Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 8 (3):74-224, 28 pls., 1 map.
- Sivinski, J. (in press). Prey attraction by luminous larvae of the fungus gnat Orfelia multoni. Ecol. Ent. 7.
- Smith, H. H., 1879. Brazil, the Amazons and the Coast, 644 pp. C. Scribner's Sons, New York.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
28 Aug 2009 -
Date of issue
1982
