Abstract:
Species, abundance and flashing displays of fireflies were investigated from August 2012 to September 2013 in a mangrove forest at Welu Wetland, Chanthaburi Province. Three firefly species were found including two dominant coexisting firefly species: Pteroptyx malaccae, P. valida and Asymmetricata circumdata. Flashing displays of the two dominant Pteroptyx fireflies were photographed during waning moon nights monthly, and the flashing numbers were counted from those photographs for abundance and flashing data. The abundance of the two dominant firefly species was significantly highest in October 2012. Moreover, air temperature and relative humidity positively influenced the firefly abundance, but rainfall negatively influenced the firefly abundance. However, there was no statistic difference in the firefly abundances between the wet season and the dry season. The highest flashing displays of the fireflies were approximately from 19:00 to 22:00. Then, the average flashing numbers gradually declined until dawn. Although the flashing displays were most frequent in October 2012 and March 2013, the firefly flashing activities still occurred throughout the study period. Thus, the research site could be promoted as an ecotourism area all year round. Mangrove forest and ecotourism management should be planned for the firefly conservation in this area with the suitable time for observing synchronous flashing in this area from 19:00 to 22:00 especially during waning moon nights