Sex ratios in the Japanese firefly, Luciola cruciata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) at emergence

Abstract

The ratio of the sexes in the Japanese firefly, Luciola cruciata (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) at emergence was surveyed. In 2006 and 2007, firefly larvae in the climbing stage were collected in Kure City, Japan. These were placed in growth chambers under 24-h dark at 17, 20, and 23°C, and the sex of each emerged adult was then recorded. The sex ratios of emerged adults under three temperature conditions were significantly male-biased in both years, but were not significantly different among the three temperature conditions in each year.