Observation on predation behavior and functional morphology of larval head in two species of firefly Diaphanes sp. and Pyrocoelia pectoralis

The larval predation behavior of two species of firefly,Diaphanes sp. and Pyrocoelia pectoralis,was observed. Larvae of D. sp. preyed on earthworms whereas P. pectoralis preyed on snails. The structures of larval head and mouthparts of these two species were observed with scanning electron microscope. Both two species of firefly had well-developed three segments of antenna and a pair of lateral ocellus. Larval mouthpart was well-developed,and composed of one pair of sharp,hollow and curved mandibles,max palp,lacinia and labial palp. The mandibles were significantly different between two species of larvae. A globular structure with a layer of teeth structure covered on 2/3 inner mandible in D. sp.,whereas a large teeth structure on the base of inner mandible found in P. pectoralis.