Courting Behavior in a Synchronously Flashing, Aggregative Firefly, Pteroptyx Tener

Display, courting, and mating behavior of the aggregative, synchronously flashing firefly Pteroptyx tener were analyzed with the aid of high-gain video recording. Males flash synchronously with other males under a variety of conditions, including flight and many phases of courtship, competition with other males, and mating. The courting male perches on the back of the female, rocks backwards and forwards, flashes his lantern directly into her eyes, and strikes her abdomen with his hind pair of legs. Characteristic flash exchanges occur before copulation, which is also accompanied by flashing by both sexes. The behavior of interloping males and the counter-behavior of the primary male are described. The import of these behaviors is discussed in relation to theories of the evolution and adaptive significance of synchronous flashing. It is suggested that the brilliant illumination of the female's eyes by the male may prevent her from seeing signals from other males or they from recognizing her emission.