THE DARK SIDE OF LIGHTENING BUGS

Lightening bug (a.k.a. firefly) flashes are used to find dates.  The color and flash pattern are unique to species.  Most of the lightening bugs you see are males out flashing (I couldn’t resist!).  Once the females recognize the male flash pattern, she will flash back (no beads though) and mating can commence.

There are some species of Photuris in which the females mimic the signals of other lightening bugs.  When the unsuspecting males arrives to mate, she eats them.