Presentation Details
| Lumos: Artificial Light at Night Reduces Male Aerial Courtship Signaling in Pyractomena Fireflies Madison S.Evans, Ryan S.Schwarz. Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO, USA |
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an expanding sensory pollutant threatening nocturnal taxa that rely on low-light communication. Fireflies depend on bioluminescent courtship signals requiring strong contrast against dark backgrounds, yet the genus Pyractomena remains largely unexamined. We experimentally tested how increasing cool-white LED illumination affects courtship in Pyractomena, where males perform aerial search flights while flashing to locate perched females. In adjacent field plots exposed to dark, moderate, and high illumination, we quantified stationary flashes from vegetation and aerial flashes during flight. ALAN reduced overall courtship activity, with the strongest suppression in aerial signaling, indicating inhibition of male flight displays. Stationary flashing showed minor changes, suggesting light pollution primarily disrupts behaviors requiring movement through illuminated airspace. These findings provide the first experimental evidence that ALAN disproportionately suppresses male courtship in Pyractomena, likely constraining mate encounters and underscoring the need for species-specific conservation research under rising nocturnal illumination.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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