Synchronisation of gut enzymes with differential foraging spectrum of two species of firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) from India with special reference on prey preferences of their larvae

The present study highlights the adaptive uniqueness of two species of fireflies, Abscondita terminalis and Sclerotia aquatilis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) occurring in ecologically contrasting habitats situated at a suburban marshy ecozone, adjacent to Kolkata metropolis, West Bengal, India, in respect of species-specific pattern of nutrient harvesting at larval stages and differential quantum of digestive enzyme production in adult males, females and larvae. Modifications of mouth parts of larvae and adults in tune with feeding preferences have also been taken into consideration. The higher level of occurrence of firefly larvae seemed to coincide with higher availability of prey gastropods. The abundance of Bellamya bengalensis and Pila globosa, were significantly correlated (r values 0.87 and 0.81 respectively at p ≤ 0.05) with that of the larvae of Abscondita terminalis, which are mostly terrestrial in nature. In case of Sclerotia aquatilis, the exclusively aquatic species, larval abundance was positively correlated to that of Pila globosa and Bellamya bengalensis (r values 0.86 and 0.83 respectively, at p ≤ 0.05). Highest activity of protease was found in Abscondita terminalis, during post breeding phase (42.2 ± 7.7 in males and 40.6 ± 5.9 in females), whereas protease level was found to be highest in case of pre-breeding phase of Sclerotia aquatilis (43.4 ± 4.9 in females and 42.9 ± 5.5 in males).