  We analysed the light curves of a large sample of long period variables in
the LMC from the AGAPEROS catalogue. The (non)regularity of the light change is
discussed in detail showing that the majority of the light curves cannot be
described properly by a single period. We show that semiregular and small
amplitude variability do not necessarily correlate as has been assumed in
several previous studies. Using near-infrared data from the DENIS survey we
correlate the light change with colours and luminosities of the objects. These
results are used to compare long period variables in the LMC with LPVs in the
Galactic Bulge and in the solar neighborhood.

Astrophysics