Visitors to the Reserve post the onset of rains will have noticed the multitude of fireflies visible after dusk, some interesting facts about these phenomenal little insects are worth mentioning here:
- First and foremost, the firefly is neither a fly nor on fire, they are simply soft bodied beetles (Coleoptera) of the family Lampyridae. Southern Africa is home to approximately 30 firefly species of the 2000 that exist globally.
- The “cold” light generated (and known as bioluminescence) by the firefly is the only light source known to man that does not generate heat.
- Both males and females will emit light, and on occasions the larvae present in the leaf litter will also produce light as a defence mechanism against predation. This has led to the erroneous term “glow worm”.
- Most fireflies will not produce a steady light but rather emit a “flash” pattern. Once a female has selected a suitable male flash pattern that pleases her, she will in turn start flashing at the same frequency in response.
- The mechanism that controls the flashing, (nitric oxide), is believed to be the same as is used in the production of certain human pharmaceuticals.
- The primary function of the flashing is to find a mate. There are some females of various species that mimic the frequency of another species to provide an opportunity to prey upon unsuspecting males.
- Firefly larvae present in the detritus layer spend all their time feeding to build their energy reserves in preparation for adult life. Once adulthood is reached the primary function is to find a mate to procreate. At this point feeding will almost stop in its entirety.
by Chris Mayes
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