Fireflies
are also called “Lightning Bugs”.
Named as they are nocturnal luminous of
the beetle family Lampyridae,
consisting of about 1,900 species that
inhibit tropical and temperate regions.
The common glowworm is a member of this
family. They shine in the night like fire
to attract sexual partner.
Someone
figured that the firefly hamlet as the
eighth wonderful view. Why the fireflies
only occur in the particular rendezvous?
The
growth of the firefly must be mingled with
the water of the runnels, woods and
environment. The river must meet in the
intersection of the fresh and salt-water.
“Berembang” trees must be something
that fancied fireflies a lot, in addition
to this factors, the environment must be
in its tranquility besides free from
contamination.
Display
trees are chosen from species with open
foliage (Sonneratia Caseolaris
or locally known as “Berembang”)
by the Selangor River. Only certain of
these trees are selected. “Berembang”
grows on tidal streams or coastal area
along the riverbank. The fruits are
edible, but astringent. Commonly,
associated with Acicennia Alba (“Api-Api
Hitam”). The same display trees may be
used over a long period (recorded up to 5
years), and river men in Malaysia are said
to use firefly trees as navigation marks.
"Firefly,
“The Lightning Bug”, Fireflies are soft bodied beetles
which sizes range from 5 to 25 millimeters
in length with the pronotum extending
forward over the head, resulting in the
head being largely or entirely concealed
when viewed from above. The pronotum is
reddish-yellow with a black spot in the
centre. Brownish-black wing covers have a
light yellowish area entirely around them
except in front. The luminous lower end of
a male firefly’s abdomen is
yellowish-green, whereas the female has a
smaller splotch. It is these
“taillight” segments where living
light is produced. Most of the fireflies
feed on pollen and nectar but for adult
fireflies they do not eat. Likewise, some
of the fireflies like bees and
butterflies, sucking the flower’s liquid
and leaves for their survival.
Occasionally, in surviving themselves,
they trick the other fireflies out of
food. A few cunning male fireflies emulate
every type of female firefly regarding to
her luminous signal. By doing so, male
firefly is able to captivate other male
species, and those are captured in their
“love pitfall” will serve as his food.
What
bring the sexes together?, Human beings converse through the
language whereas firefly delivers the
signal by giving a light. The firefly
gives a light, for the purpose of
alluring, admonishing, intimidating
predatory hunter, illumination,
camouflaging and generating birth.
Generally
speaking, the firefly with mighty radiance
will attract the opposite sex of the
firefly. The male firefly will catch the
female firefly’s attention if he manages
to fly at the most speed, or those manage
to fly quite rapidly. Contrary, those fly
at a snail’s pace, will not mostly
welcome at all.
The
female firefly will produce a short
rhythmic flash that attracts the male
firefly. The female will sit on the ground
in the high grass to flash to certain male
only. The female chooses the male based on
their flash pattern. If the female firefly
comes across the male firefly that is to
her liking, then she will give a faint
light. However, if her body brilliantly
illuminated as a lamplight, it is
described that she will have fall in love
with the other party. After the male
firefly received the female affectionate
signal, both parties would converse
through the medium of twinkling methods.
In reality, once the female firefly does
not give a light, the male can hardly
encounter her existence in the dead of the
night. While each firefly species has its
own pattern of flashing, some females
imitate the patterns of other species.
Males land next to them only to be eaten
alive. So keep in mind that its flickering
isn’t just a wonder of the night, it is
also a language of love.
The
flashing patterns are not random. They are
species-specific, varying in duration and
arrangement of pulse as well as height
from the ground. The most critical
variable in species recognition is the
delay between the male flash pattern and
the female reply. They believe that those
male fireflies flash at three times each
second, whereas female fireflies flash
once each second. Some experts think the
firefly’s flashy style may warn
predators of the insect’s bitter taste.
On the other hand, some frogs eat so many
fireflies that they themselves begin to
glow.
Fireflies
do not bite, do not have pincers, do not
carry disease and in fact are quite
harmless. They cannot even fly fast. They
have a life span of two months.
I
I
