Description of pleural defensive organs in three species of firefly larvae (Coleoptera, Lampyridae)

Trice, Ernest; Tyler, John G.; Day, John C.

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.768.1.1

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Using light microscopy and epi-fluorescent imaging, Trice et al (2004) compared the pleural defensive organs of the larvae of three genera of terrestrial fireflies, namely Lampyris noctiluca L. 1758, Luciola cruciata, and a Nyctophila species. However, due to the limitation of having had only dead specimens preserved in alcohol to work with, they could merely conclude that the organs consisted of a vesicle and a disc-like structure.…”

Section: Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The adults of many firefly species are well known to be distasteful to vertebrate and invertebrate predators and possess the ability to reflexively bleed when attacked (Blum and Sannasi 1974;Knight et al 1999;Tyler and Trice 2001;Trice et al 2004;Ohba and Hidaka, 2002;Fu et al 2006a). In fact, ingesting fireflies can be lethal to lizards and frogs (Sexton 1960;Lloyd 1973).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structure and function of the eversible glands of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Vencl

Ohba³

et al. 2007

Chemoecology

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When attacked or otherwise disturbed, larvae of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii display fork-shaped glands laterally from the meso-and metathorax as well as each abdominal segment. Glandular eversion is accompanied by a strong pine oil-like odour, thanatosis and glowing from paired larval light organs. Observations by SEM and TEM revealed that there are numerous, almost spherical protuberances, measuring 9 µm in diameter on the surface of each gland. Each protuberance is connected to a well developed secretory cell via a 0.1 µm thick and 0.2 µm long stalk and bears three to six 7 µm long spines on its apex. The convoluted glandular walls measure 0.2 µm. The cytoplasm of the secretory cells is characterized by the presence of numerous mitochondria and an extensive system of cisternae and tubular endoplasmic reticulum. Preliminary GC-MS analysis of the glandular secretion revealed two volatile terpenoids: terpinolene and γ-terpinene. Choice and no-choice bioassays involving fish and ants as well as other predators demonstrate that the secretions serve as an effective deterrent against a range of ecologically relevant enemies. The larval postural adjustments, light emission, everted glands, and glandular release of distasteful or repellent compounds, appear to function as a multi-modal, aposematic larval defence. The tandem evolution of glandular secretions and conspicuousness in larval fireflies could partially explain their successful radiation into both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

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Section: Morphology and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and function of the eversible glands of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Vencl

Ohba³

et al. 2007

Chemoecology

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“…Indeed in L. noctiluca larvae a morphological series can be seen, from the elongated, heavily sclerotized bristles on the sclerites, through the smaller, more squat and more lightly sclerotized pyriform structures to be found around the margins of the eversible organ, to the virtually unsclerotized protuberances themselves (Trice et al 2004). Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The adults and larvae of many firefly species are well known to be distasteful to vertebrate and invertebrate predators and possess the ability to bleed reflexly when attacked (Blum and Sannasi 1974;Knight et al 1999;Tyler and Trice 2001;Tyler 2001a;Trice et al 2004;Ohba and Hidaka 2002;Fu et al 2006a). In fact, ingesting fireflies can be lethal to lizards and frogs (Sexton 1960;Lloyd 1973).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tyler (2001b) briefly described the eversible organs in L. noctiluca Linnaeus 1758 and Trice et al (2004) compared the pleural defensive organs of the larvae of three genera of fireflies, namely L. noctiluca, L. cruciata and a Nyctophila species. Eversible organs were first described in the aquatic larvae of L. lateralis and L. cruciata 80 years ago (Okada 1928) and more recently in Luciola owadai Sato et Kimura (Ohba et al 1994).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Structure and function of the eversible organs of several genera of larval firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Meyer-Rochow

Tyler³

et al. 2009

Chemoecology

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Larval defensive behaviour and eversible organ morphology were compared in the firefly species Luciola cruciata Motschulsky 1854, L. lateralis Motschulsky 1860, L. leii Fu et Ballantyne 2006, Lampyris noctiluca Linnaeus 1767, Pyrocoelia analis Fabricius 1801, P. pectoralisOliver 1883, P. sp. and two Diaphanes species. In all cases the eversible organs are located on the pleural cuticle, dorsal to the spiracle, but there is considerable variation between species in their number, size and shape. In La. noctiluca they are confined to the abdomen, whereas in the other species they also occur on the meta-and mesothorax. In La. noctiluca and the Pyrocoelia species the organs are columnar in shape, contrasting with the forked organs of the Luciola and Diaphanes species. The eversible organs of the Luciola species, which are all aquatic, are remarkably larger (relative to body length) than those of the other, terrestrial species. On organ eversion the Luciola species emit an odour resembling pine oil, the Diaphanes species smell weakly of mint and L. noctiluca and the Pyrocoelia species produce no discernible scent, though ants are nonetheless repelled by contact with everted L. noctiluca organs. The organs of all the species studied support protuberances on their external surface, though these too vary in shape, size and ornamentation between species. In all species except L. noctiluca each protuberance is connected to a well-developed globular body via a long, thick stalk. Circular foveae are located in the centres of these globular bodies. The globular bodies consist of secretory cells characterized by the presence of numerous mitochondria and an extensive system of cisternae and tubular endoplasmic reticulum. Behavioural tests revealed that small larvae run away instead of becoming immobile and glowing, whereas large larvae start to glow when disturbed. The study shows that the eversible larval organs form an important part of a defensive arsenal in the Lampyridae.

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A defensive steroidal pyrone in the Glow‐worm Lampyris noctiluca L. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Tyler

McKinnon

Lord

et al. 2008

Physiological Entomology

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Description of pleural defensive organs in three species of firefly larvae (Coleoptera, Lampyridae)

Cited by 7 publications

References 16 publications

Structure and function of the eversible glands of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Structure and function of the eversible glands of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Structure and function of the eversible organs of several genera of larval firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

A defensive steroidal pyrone in the Glow‐worm Lampyris noctiluca L. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

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