Species composition of fireflies in selected natural habitats and agroecosystems in the Hambantota district.

Abstract

This paper investigates the species composition and abundance of fireflies in five selected habitats in the Hambantota dið€€žtrict: two natural habitats at the mangrove forests of Rekawa and Kirallakale in Ambalanthota and three agro-ecosystems at a vegetable cultivation in Agunukolapallassa, a coconut plantation in Tangalle and a tea plantation in Kekiriobada by means of hand net collections and soil collections of fireflies made on two sampling occasions from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m within a period of 'nine months. Accordingly, five firefly species were identified namely, Lucio/a vespertina, L.chinensis, L. melaspis, L. humeralis and Diaptoma greeni. The study reveals that, in the Hambantota District, L. vespertina (28%) and L.chinensis (33%) are the dominant Lampyrid species. D. greeni (2% )- and L. humeralis (I %) were the least abundant. L. me/as pis (17%) was restricted to the specialized agro-ecosystems in the tea plantation in the Hambantota district. The results of the study indicate the seasonal occurrence of L. humeralis in three sampling sites. In addition, the present study indicates the fluctuations in the relative abundance of the dominant species of lampyrids, namely, L. vespertina and L.chinensis, during two sampling occasions. Recordings of the new specimens, which are not available in reference collections of Sri Lankan lampyrids, indicate the possibility of having many more species of lampyrids in Southern Sri Lanka.