How to stand out to a mate - Flash colour of Photinus fireflies maximizes signal contrast against ambient light
Judson Stricklin, Roland Kimsey, Simran Shah, Mrunal Nazare, James Masters, Kathrin F. Stanger‐Hall
This study tests the contrast hypothesis by analyzing ambient light spectra and male flash spectra of Photinus fireflies to show that their flash color maximizes contrast against the background during peak activity.
bioRxiv · Oct 31, 2026 · PreprintEvolutionary Biology