Data–Driven Modeling of Discrete Synchronization in Firefly Swarms

Fireflies are a landmark example of synchronization in nature. During mating season, males of synchronous firefly species flash in unison within swarms containing tens of thousands of individuals. This magnificent display inspired numerous mathematical models that aim to explain how global synchronous patterns emerge from local interaction rules. However, experimental data to validate these models has been rarely reported. To address this gap, we obtained quantitative measurements of the spatiotemporal flashing pattern of synchronous firefly swarms. Using the North American synchronous firefly species Photinus carolinus as a model system, we recorded the flashing patterns of the fireflies in their natural habitat as well as within light controlled environments, and for the first time, we were able to perform a 3D reconstruction of the synchronous flashing positions of thousands of individuals. This talk will focus on analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns observed in our experiments and connecting it to mathematical models that account for the species specific discontinuous flash pattern, short range spatial correlations, and spatial mixing due to movement of individuals within the swarm.