螢火蟲用閃光來吸引配偶,，但是這種生物發(fā)光現(xiàn)象對(duì)于捕食者同樣具有吸引力。
然而在本月的《動(dòng)物行為學(xué)》期刊網(wǎng)絡(luò)版上刊登的一項(xiàng)新研究表明,，如果這頓飯的味道太差，捕食者們便會(huì)學(xué)著規(guī)避這種閃光,。
研究人員將人造螢火蟲（一枚發(fā)光的綠色LED）放在一只美味的蟋蟀,，或一只有毒的螢火蟲（Ellychnia corrusca）的旁邊，隨后他們又放出了一只跳蛛,。
盡管蜘蛛最初會(huì)選擇攻擊所有兩只昆蟲,，但它們很快便學(xué)會(huì)避開閃光的LED。
美國(guó)馬薩諸塞州艾莫斯特大學(xué)的動(dòng)物學(xué)家Skye M. Long和同事指出,，在野外,，美味和難吃的兩種螢火蟲共享著相同的棲息地，因此如果一只蜘蛛或其他捕食者在其口中嘗到了壞味道,，它便會(huì)開始躲避所有的閃光,，這對(duì)于兩種螢火蟲而言絕對(duì)是一個(gè)福音。（生物谷Bioon.com）
doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.10.008
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Firefly flashing and jumping spider predation
Skye M. Longa, Sara Lewisb, Leo Jean-Louisc, George Ramosa, Jamie Richmondc, Elizabeth M. Jakobc
Bioluminescent flashing in fireflies, while primarily a sexual signal, is known to deter some predators while attracting others. We tested whether flashing serves an antipredator function against two species of diurnal, visually hunting jumping spiders, Phidippus princeps and Phidippusaudax. To confirm anecdotal reports that fireflies flash during the day in a nonmating context, we documented that adult fireflies (Photuris sp.) of both sexes flash when disturbed in daylight. We also confirmed that activity periods of Phidippus and fireflies overlap, and that spiders attack fireflies and elicit flashing behaviour. We conducted three experiments to examine the influence of flashing on spider behaviour. (1) We tested whether the sudden onset of a flashing LED startled spiders that had initiated attacks on crickets, and found no evidence that it did so. (2) We used choice tests to determine whether flashing lights attracted or deterred spiders from attacking palatable prey. Spiders more often attacked crickets positioned next to a flashing LED versus an LED that was either off or glowed steadily. (3) Many firefly species are distasteful. Therefore, we tested whether flashing lights facilitate avoidance of unpalatable prey with experience. Spiders were given seven encounters with unpalatable prey (nonluminescent Ellychnia corrusca fireflies) associated with either flashing or unlit LEDs. Spiders in the two treatments were equally likely to attack the prey during their first encounter, but spiders exposed to flashing LEDs were significantly less likely to attack unpalatable prey by their seventh trial. Spiders tested with palatable prey showed no decline in attacks after exposure to flashing LEDs. We conclude that, although bioluminescent flash signals may increase attack rates by predatory jumping spiders, they may also facilitate learning about unpalatable prey. Thus, the costs and benefits of flashing may depend on the prevalence of firefly palatability.
