Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2008-03-28
Page range: 1–44
Abstract views: 188
PDF downloaded: 7

Taxonomy and behaviour of lucioline fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with redefinition and new species of Pygoluciola Wittmer from mainland China and review of Luciola LaPorte

College of Plant Science and Technology, HuaZhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 588, Wagga Wagga 2678, Australia
Coleoptera Luciolinae generic revision Pygoluciola qingyu sp. nov.

Abstract

Subfamily classification within the Lampyridae, and generic categories in the Luciolinae are reviewed, as are the difficulties that often exist with accurate species determinations because of inadequate definition of the genus Luciola LaPorte. A key to genera of the Luciolinae reflects current phylogenetic trends and includes the first morphological details of Luciola (Photuroluciola) (Pic). An expanded generic definition of Pygoluciola Wittmer includes an extension of its geographic range. Pygoluciola qingyu sp. nov. is described including morphology of males, females (bursa structure) and larvae, and the first record of synchronous flashing from mainland China. Behaviour including predacious activity by larvae on large mandibulate ants, in an apparently hazardous frontal attack, the semiaquatic mode of life and luminous activity including synchronous flashing is described and discussed. A lectotype male of Luciola cerata Olivier is designated and described.

References

  1. Ballantyne, L.A. (1968) Revisional Studies of Australian and Indomalayan Luciolini (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae). University of Queensland Papers, Department of Entomology, University of Queensland Press II (6), 103–139.

    Ballantyne, L.A. (1987a) Further Revisional Studies on the firefly genus Pteroptyx Olivier (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 113, 117–170.

    Ballantyne, L.A. (1987b) Lucioline Morphology, Taxonomy and Behavior: A Reappraisal. (Coleoptera, Lampyridae). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 113, 171–188.

    Ballantyne, L.A. (2008) Pygoluciola satoi, a new species of the rare SE Asian firefly genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from the Philippines. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 56(1), 1–9.

    Ballantyne, L.A. & Lambkin, C. (2000) The Lampyridae of Australia (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae: Luciolini). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 46, 15–94.

    Ballantyne, L.A. & Lambkin, C. (2001) A new firefly, Luciola (Pygoluciola) kinabalua, new species (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), from Malaysia, with observations on a possible copulation clamp. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 49, 363–377.

    Ballantyne, L.A. & Lambkin, C. (2006) A phylogenetic reassessment of the rare S. E. Asian firefly genus Pygoluciola Wittmer (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 54, 31–58.

    Ballantyne, L.A. & McLean, M.R. (1970) Revisional studies on the firefly genus Pteroptyx Olivier (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae: Luciolini). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 96, 223–305.

    Ballantyne, L.A. & Menayah, R. (2002) A description of larvae and redescription of adults of the firefly Pteroptyx valida Olivier in Selangor, Malaysia (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae), with notes on Luciolinae larvae. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 50, 101–109.

    Buschman, L.L. (1984) Biology of the firefly Pyractomena lucifera (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Florida Entomologist, 67, 529–542.

    Branham, M.A & Wenzel, J.W. (2001) The evolution of bioluminescence in Cantharoids (Coleoptera: Elateroidea). Florida Entomologist, 84, 565–586.

    Branham, M.A & Wenzel, J.W. (2003) The origin of photic behavior and the evolution of sexual communication in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Cladistics, 19, 1–22.

    Calder, A.A. (1998) Coleoptera: Elateroidea. In Wells, A. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 29.6. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing. Australia xiii 248 pp.

    Chen, T.R. (2003) The fireflies of Taiwan. Field Image Publisher, Taipei 255 pp. (In Chinese)

    Crowson, R.A. (1972) A review of the classification of the Cantharoidea (Coleoptera), with the definition of two new families, Cneoglossidae and Omethidae. Revista de la Universidad de Madrid, 21, 35–77.

    Fu, X.H. & Ballantyne, L.A. (2006) Luciola leii sp. nov., a new species of aquatic firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from mainland China. The Canadian Entomologist, 138, 339–347.

    Fu, X.H., Ohba, N., Vencl. F.V., & Lei, C.L. (2005) Structure, behavior and the life cycle of an aquatic firefly, Luciola substriata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), in China. The Canadian Entomologist, 137, 83–90.

    Fu, X.H., Ohba, N., Vencl, F.V. & Lei, C.L. (2006) Life cycle and behaviour of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Mainland China. The Canadian Entomologist, 138, 860-870

    Hua, L.Z. (2002) List of Chinese insects (2 volumes). Zhongshan (Sun Yat–sen) University Press, Guangzhou.

    Jeng, M.L., Lai, J. & Yang, P.S. (2003a) Lampyridae: a synopsis of aquatic fireflies with description of a new species. In Jäch & Ji (eds); Water Beetles of China. III: 539–562.

    Jeng, M.L., Yang, P.S. & Lai, J. (2003b) Notes on the genus Luciola (Coleoptera, Lampyridae, Luciolinae) of Taiwan. Special Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Coleopterologists, Tokyo 6, 247–262.

    Jeng, M.L., Yang, P.S. & Sâto, M. (2002) Notes on the morphology and systematics of the genus Pristolycus Gorham (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Japanese Journal of Systematic Entomology, 8, 87–108.

    Kaufmann, T. (1965) Ecological and biological studies on the West African firefly Luciola discicollis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Annals of the entomological society of America, 58, 414–426.

    Kawashima, I., Suzuki, H. & Sâto, M. (2003) A check-list of Japanese fireflies (Coleoptera, Lampyridae and Rhagophthalmidae). Japanese Journal of Systematic Entomology, 9, 241–261.

    Lawrence, J.F. & Newton, A.F. (1995) Families and subfamilies of Coleoptera (with selected genera, notes, references and data on family-group names) pp. 779–1006 In Pakaluk, J. & S. A. Ślipiński (eds) Biology, phylogeny and classification of Coleoptera: Papers celebrating the 80th birthday of Roy A. Crowson. Warszawa: Museum I Instytut Zoologii PAN.

    Liu, G. (1931) The Lampyridae, or fireflies, of China. A key to the tribes and genera and a list of the species known from China with literary references. The China Journal, XV, 250 –256.

    Makino, T., Suzuki, H., & Ohba, N. (1994) Computer analysis system for firefly flash patterns. Science Report of Yokosuka City Museum, 42, 27-56.

    McDermott, F.A. (1966) Lampyridae Pars. 9. Coleopterorum Catalogus (Junk-Schenkling) (Ed. Sec), 1–149 (Luciolini, 98–118).

    Ohba, N. & Goto, Y. (1991) Morphology and behaviour of the firefly, Pristolycus saguratus. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 39, 1–5.

    Ohba, N., Goto, Y. & Kawashima, I. (1996a) External morphology, Color-marking patterns and habits of the larval stage in genus Stenocladius (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 44, 21–31.

    Ohba, N., Goto, Y. & Kawashima, I. (1996b) External morphology and behaviour of Rhagophthalmus ohbai Wittmer, 1994 (Coleoptera: Rhagophthalmidae) and its habitat. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 44, 1–19.

    Ohba, N. & Sim, S.H. (1994) The morphology, behaviour and life cycle of Pteroptyx valida (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in Singapore. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 42, 1–11.

    Ohba, N. & Sim, S.H. (2000) Biological notes and rearing of Lamprigera sp. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from West Sumatra. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 47, 23–30.

    Ohba, N & Wong, C.H. (2004). External morphology and ecological study of the firefly, Pteroptyx tener at Kampong Kuantan, Selangor, Malaysia. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 51, 1–33.

    Ohba, N. & Yang, P.S. (2003) Flash patterns and communication system of the Taiwanese firefly, Luciola cerata Olivier. Science Report of the Yokosuka City Museum, 50, 1–12.

    Olivier, E. (1907) Coleoptera, Family Lampyridae pp. 1–74 (Luciolinae 48-56). In Wytsman, P. (ed.) Genera Insectorum Bruxelles: P. Wytsman Fasc. 53, 74 pp.

    Olivier, E. (1911) Lampyrides rapporté de Formose par M. Hans Sauter determines et decrits par Ernest Olivier. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova (3a) V, 145–148.

    Olivier, E. (1895) Deux espèces nouvelles de Lucioles. Bulletin Société entomologique de France, cxlvii–cxlix.

    Suzuki, H. (1997) Molecular phylogenetic studies of Japanese fireflies and their mating systems (Coleoptera: Cantharoidea). Tokyo Metropolitan University Bulletin of Natural History, 3, 1–53.

    Suzuki, H., Sato, Y., Fujiyama, S. & Ohba, N. (1996) Biochemical systematics of Japanese fireflies of the subfamily Luciolinae and their flash communication systems. Biochemical Genetics, 34, 191–200.

    Thancharoen, A., Ballantyne, Lesley A., Branham, M.A. & Jeng, M.L. (2007) Description of Luciola aquatilis sp. nov., a new aquatic firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from Thailand. Zootaxa, 1611, 55–62.

    Wittmer, W. (1939) Fauna Buruana. Coleoptera 7. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der indo-malayischen Malacodermata. Treubia, 17, 21–24 (Lampyridae).

    Wu, C.F. (1936) Cantharoidea Lampyridae. Catalogus Insectorum Sinensium III, 377–385.