Aggressive Mimicry in Photuris Fireflies: Signal Repertoires by Femmes Fatales
TL;DR
Female fireflies fake mating signals to lure males of other species—then eat them. Deception this effective breaks the whole system.
Speed Read
0%
300 WPM
-- remaining
The foundational paper on aggressive mimicry in visual signaling systems. Documents how Photuris 'femme fatale' fireflies exploit honest mating signals to lure and consume males of other species. Essential reading for understanding how communication systems collapse when deceptive signals become too effective.
Key Findings from Lloyd (1975)
- Photuris females mimic flash responses of Photinus females to lure and eat Photinus males
- Females can switch between four distinct signal patterns to attract different species
- Mimicry is highly effective—females rarely flash more than ten times without capturing prey
- Consuming Photinus males provides lucibufagin chemicals that Photuris cannot produce themselves
- Firefly brain capabilities 'more complex than previously suspected'—strategic repertoire, not single trick