Discovery of the female of Pyrocoelia prolongata in Taiwan (Coleoptera, Lampyridae)

By

Jeng, Ming-Luen
Engel, Michael S.
Yang, Pingshi

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2011

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

116

Pages

49-57

Subjects

Asia , diurnal , female , Lampyrinae , Pyrocoelia prolongata , Taiwan

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.116.1412

 

Abstract

The female of Pyrocoelia prolongata Jeng & Lai, a diurnal lampyrid species from Taiwan, is described for the first time. A single individual was found in a small, shady, dry streambed at the edge of a mixed forest at 2700 m elevation. The individual glowed in darkness and would move its abdomen up and down when disturbed and as a deterring behavior. A key to the females of the species of Pyrocoelia Gorham in Taiwan is provided. The morphology of photogenic organs of females and the function of bioluminescence of day-active species of Pyrocoelia are discussed.