away with the fairies.

firefly; lightfireflight

Early fireflies are suspected to have used some form of communication before bioluminescence became a part of their genetic make-up. When they finally developed their flash, it was to emit a warning. Somewhere along the line another shift was made, and the fireflies began using their light for other purposes.

Now, a firefly's unsteady shine can be used for two most delicate endeavors: romancing, and manipulating another into becoming a meal.* This seems a time where a warning light would be quite useful.

In the group Photinus, flashing represents a visible courtship signal. Within each species, males and females identify members of the opposite sex based on flash timing, although factors of attraction vary.

lovemaking in the firefly skies

Femme Fatale

Female Photuris fireflies are charming, which in this case is synonymous with raptorial. They have evolved to echo light flashes that other species' females use to attract mates. With her manipulating light patterns, a faux darling lightning bug lures in a Photinus male, which she then seizes, kills, and consumes. An irresistible lady.

Actually, the light patterns that are most attractive to female fireflies that are looking for mates are also the light patterns that predatory females prey on. The more attractive male flashes are quicker and more conspicuous- a lovely statement about the potentially detrimental consequences of a pretentious nature.

But I suppose the male Photinus should get some credit- the hopeful little thing died in an attempt to reach a mate; (I'd like to say lover, but the firefly's lack of a prefrontal cortex makes it impossible for me to suggest that their desires originate from emotion).

The sinister beauty of the lights and the ensuing death fuses, creating a philosophically artistic existence for a creature with only two months to live. I actually think their lives are far more poetic than your average Wall Street Homo sapien sapien. But, our world is neither theoretical nor philosophical. In modern society's realm of 'reality,' it seems that all either species want to do is eat and procreate.

These are the flashes and flight paths of different species as they would appear in a time-lapse photograph (From: Lloyd, J. E. (1966). Univ. of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Misc. Pub. 130, 1-93)

*While there is an obvious distinction, I'd say that seduction and deceit are often interchangeable.