Which genus is referred to as the femme fatale in fireflies?

• A. Photinus
• B. Luciola
• C. Photuris
• D. Pyrophorus

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is aggressive mimicry in signaling. In this case, a female from a Photuris firefly mimics the flashing signals used by other firefly species to attract mates. Photuris females lure Photinus males by copying their courtship flashes; when these attracted males approach, the Photuris female captures and eats them. This deceptive predation is why Photuris is called the femme fatale of fireflies. The other options don’t fit this behavior: Photinus is the species whose signals are copied and preyed upon, Luciola is just another firefly genus, and Pyrophorus is a different group (a bioluminescent click beetle, not the classic femme fatale fireflies).