Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity (Sep 2020)
Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of the congregating firefly, Pteroptyx Olivier (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in Thailand
Abstract
Pteroptyx fireflies represent an important economic insect for ecotourism. Two methods, visual counting and sweep net collection, were used to survey Pteroptyx species at 23 study sites along the coast of Thailand. P. malaccae and P. valida were the most common species across all sites with significant differences in abundance among study sites. In contrast, P. asymmetria was found only in the southern region, and P. tener was found only at one site in Surat Thani province. Pteroptyx fireflies displayed in trees whose canopies were opened to view as opposed to those blocked by other vegetation. Fireflies most often perched in the top section. Pteroptyx horizontal distribution was affected by ambient wind direction and speed. In addition, most display trees were located at prominent spots on either the inside bends or the outside bends of mangrove rivers. The principal component regression analysis was performed to determine which environmental factors might influence Pteroptyx species abundances and revealed that three Pteroptyx species appear to be influenced by different combinations of environmental variables.