What glow beetles, fireflies?
In the new study, the scientists showed that the special organs of the illumination of the fireflies is necessary not only to attract partners.
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Beetles of the family of fireflies (Lampyridae) have special bodies of light — with lanterns. What they need? It is believed that with their help, these insects attract partners, however, as confirmed by a new study, the lanterns, there is another option.
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Fly pretended to be a fly found in insects with an unusual disguise
Many species of fireflies “chemically protected” — a foul taste for predators, said Jesse Barber (Jesse Barber), a biologist from the State University of Boise (Boise State University), Idaho, USA. If, however, the insect will not warn you, it will be eaten anyway: Barber interested, can glow to warn predators of their toxicity using the lights.
Barber, together with colleagues decided to see how fast the bats will learn to avoid the bugs-fireflies in the case that the last lights are hidden. First insects (it was a Firefly of the species Photinus pyralis) with the notable lanterns put three bats: as it turned out, after just a few interactions last began to avoid fireflies (in the beginning they grabbed the insects tried to eat and threw — soon began to completely avoid them).