Artificial Night Lighting Reduces Firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Occurrence  in Sorocaba, Brazil

Hagen, Oskar; Santos, Raphael Machado; Schlindwein, Marcelo Nivert; Viviani, Vadim R.

doi:10.4236/ae.2015.31004

Cited by 45 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…In another observational study on a university campus in Sorocaba, Brazil, Hagen, Santos, Schlindwein, and Viviani () found that courtship flashing by several firefly species was affected by multi‐metal vapor spotlights illuminating an outdoor sport court. On nights when the spotlights were turned on, flash activity by the most common species, Photinus sp1, was significantly reduced.…”

Section: Firefly Vision and Bioluminescencementioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Owens

Lewis

2018

Ecology and Evolution

256

201

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In recent decades, advances in lighting technology have precipitated exponential increases in night sky brightness worldwide, raising concerns in the scientific community about the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on crepuscular and nocturnal biodiversity. Long‐term records show that insect abundance has declined significantly over this time, with worrying implications for terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of investigations into the vulnerability of nocturnal insects to artificial light have focused on the flight‐to‐light behavior exhibited by select insect families. However, ALAN can affect insects in other ways as well. This review proposes five categories of ALAN impact on nocturnal insects, highlighting past research and identifying key knowledge gaps. We conclude with a summary of relevant literature on bioluminescent fireflies, which emphasizes the unique vulnerability of terrestrial light‐based communication systems to artificial illumination. Comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts of ALAN on diverse nocturnal insect taxa will enable researchers to seek out methods whereby fireflies, moths, and other essential members of the nocturnal ecosystem can coexist with humans on an increasingly urbanized planet.

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Section: Firefly Vision and Bioluminescencementioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Owens

Lewis

2018

Ecology and Evolution

256

201

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“…During the mating season, adults begin flashing late in the day, when ambient light levels have declined to a species-specific threshold [ 36 , 37 ]. High levels of broad spectrum ALAN can delay or inhibit male signaling activity, and negatively affect female receptivity to bioluminescent signals [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short- and mid-wavelength artificial light influences the flash signals of Aquatica ficta fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

2018

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Urbanization can radically disrupt natural ecosystems through alteration of the sensory environment. Habitat disturbances are predicted to favor behaviorally flexible species capable of adapting to altered environments. When artificial light at night (ALAN) is introduced into urban areas, it has the potential to impede reproduction of local firefly populations by obscuring their bioluminescent courtship signals. Whether individual fireflies can brighten their signals to maintain visibility against an illuminated background remains unknown. In this study, we exposed male Aquatica ficta fireflies to diffused light of varying wavelength and intensity, and recorded their alarm flash signals. When exposed to wavelengths at or below 533 nm, males emitted brighter signals with decreased frequency. This is the first evidence of individual-level light signal plasticity in fireflies. In contrast, long wavelength ambient light (≥ 597 nm) did not affect signal morphology, likely because A. ficta cannot perceive these wavelengths. These results suggest long wavelength lighting is less likely to impact firefly courtship, and its use in place of broad spectrum white lighting could augment firefly conservation efforts. More generally, this study demonstrates benefits of bioluminescent signal plasticity in a “noisy” signaling environment, and sheds light on an important yet understudied consequence of urbanization.

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“…The effect of artificial light on fireflies was studied in many firefly species. Under the light pollution, the abundance of fireflies displayed lower numbers than without lighting [4,9]. Several firefly researchers have considerably examined how the light pollution impacts on the bioluminescent insects especially their courtship and reproduction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Camera Illumination on Flashing Behavior of Pteroptyx malaccae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Thancharoen¹,

Masoh²

2019

Bioluminescence - Analytical Applications and Basic Biology

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Pteroptyx malaccae is a synchronous firefly that is important in firefly tourism in Thailand. Without well-managed tourism, the fireflies have faced to the problems of shooting camera flashes from tourists. Although the effect of artificial light was well understood, which causes negative impact to firefly courtship, there is no obvious information on the effect of the camera illumination. The experiment of testing four types of camera illumination was set up in laboratory using wild populations of P. malaccae. The flash patterns were recorded by videotaping and analyzed by using TiLIA software. The results showed that all kinds of camera illuminations affect flashing behavior of the fireflies. They prolonged flash interval by increasing pulse duration. The flashes from smartphone camera displayed the strongest effect; however, all flash types did not influence on the firefly life span, mating behavior and oviposition behavior of the fireflies.

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Artificial Night Lighting Reduces Firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Occurrence in Sorocaba, Brazil

Cited by 45 publications

References 48 publications

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

The impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects: A review and synthesis

Short- and mid-wavelength artificial light influences the flash signals of Aquatica ficta fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Effect of Camera Illumination on Flashing Behavior of Pteroptyx malaccae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

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