Fourier analysis of firefly pulses at low temperature and under a strong static magnetic field

Abstract

Quite a few scientific investigations have been carried out on the flashing of the firefly till now. Here we analyse the Fourier spectra of three species of fireflies---two Japanese species \textit{Luciola cruciata} and \textit{Luciola lateralis}, and one Indian species \textit{Luciola praeusta}---in control and under a strong static magnetic field. The number of harmonic contents on the Fourier transform plots is found to decrease under the high magnetic field, which points towards a certain type of filtering of pulses. This filtering can be compared with a typical bandstop filter called notch filter. In order to compare with a similar type of phenomenon, a Fourier spectrum of the flashes from the Indian firefly-species at a low temperature is presented.