Effects of electric fields on bioluminescence emissions of fireflies

Light emissions from the firefly at different temperatures and in magnetic fields were studied in recent times. Changes were observed in the wavelength peak position and flash duration in those studies, giving information on the light-producing reaction and the system in the live firefly. Here we report emissions from the firefly species Abscondita perplexa (Walker, 1858) placed in an electric field. The AC electric field is not found to have any effect, but the DC field causes an instantaneous increase in the duration of the flashes. These results suggest that the insect experiences a cooling type of stress in the static electric field-probably a result of becoming positively charged-while staying immune to the AC field.