Neural Control of the Male Photuris Versicolor Firefly Flash

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Abstract
Continuous electrical stimulation of the ventral nerve cord or the lantern of the decapitated male Photuris versicolor firefly over a wide range of stimulus frequencies can produce a flash that is multi-peaked, like the courtship flash of this species. The central nervous system does not shape these stimulated compound flashes because they can be induced in deganglionated posterior lantern segments. The stimulated compound flashes show a fixed oscillatory character with peak frequencies independent of stimulation frequency. They can be generated by individual lantern areas. Compared with the peaks of courtship flashes the peaks of stimulated flashes show higher frequency, significantly lower temperature coefficients (Q)10, and incomplete extinction. P. lucicrescens males produce a courtship flash that has a single peak and their lanterns respond to continuous stimulation with an unstructured glow.