CONTROL OF FLASHING IN FIREFLIES. III. PERIPHERAL EXCITATION

Abstract

The peripheral excitatory pathway of light generation has been examined in 2 genera of fireflies, Photuris and Photinus. The remarkably long latency of neural excitation is shown mainly to involve peripheral delay. Evidence is presented that neural pathways may be bypassed resulting in 2 shorter latencies, one of which probably involves direct excitation of photocytes. It is proposed that the normal excitation route interposes tracheal end-cells between nerve terminals and photocytes.