Methods and recommendations for surveying firefly glow-worms (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Subtitle:a practical example from Southern Spain

This study presents data about recent survey excursions in search of lamprid glow-worm species in Southern Spain performed by volunteers of the Spanish lampyrid project ¿Has visto una luciérnaga? (Have you seen a glow-worm? www.gusanosdeluz.es) in 2012. The main aim was to find and study populations of recently discovered new species in the Parque natural del Tajo Internacional (Extremadura, Spain). Secondary aims were to survey other river systems in Eastern and Southern Spain (river El Bosque, National Park of Grazalema in South Spain; river Turia and river Júcar, in East Spain) to perform lampyrid surveys. At all sites lampyrid populations were encountered. The presence of an isolated population of Lampyris iberica is now officially confirmed in the extreme South of Spain (PN de Grazalema, Andalucia), and the species was also present in West Spain (PI del Tajo, Extremadura). Phosphaenopterus metzneri larvae and pupae were found both in West Spain (PI del Tajo, Extremdura) and in Portagem (Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede, Portugal). Lamprohiza paulinoi adults were spotted in West (PI del Tajo, Extremadura) and East Spain (Bugarra, Community of Valencia and Alcalá del Júcar, Castilla La Mancha). Behavioural and ecological data of these species are presented. These expeditions also yielded samples for further taxonomic, morphological and genetic research. The discussion offers detailed recommendations of how to plan surveys and monitoring studies for lampyrids by night walks and by using light lures and traps.

Publication year:2013

Keywords:A3 Journal article

Accessibility:Closed