WATCH: How and why do fireflies light up?

How do fireflies produce light, and why do they do it?

According to Earth Sky, fireflies are neither flies nor bugs.

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WATCH HOW AND WHY FIREFLIES PRODUCE LIGHT

They’re soft-winged beetles, related to click beetles and others. The most dramatic aspect of their biology is that they can produce light; this ability in a living organism, called bioluminescence, is relatively rare.

HOW DO THEY PRODUCE LIGHT?

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Fireflies have a light organ located in their lower abdomen. In this part of their body, a biochemical reaction called “bioluminescence takes place that allows them to convert chemical energy into the glowing light that we see.

“A chemical called luciferin can be found in the cells that make up the firefly’s light-producing organs. When this chemical is combined with oxygen, it forms a new chemical called oxyluciferin which causes the firefly to produce light. Unlike the warm or hot light produced by a light bulb, lightning bugs give off a cold light.

“This is why when a lightning bug lands on your skin, you don’t feel any warmth or burning. There are more than 2,000 firefly species and not all of them glow. Of those that do, the light they produce can be green, yellow or orange in color.”

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WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

The light of a firefly is a chemical reaction caused by an organic compound luciferin. As air rushes into a firefly’s abdomen, it reacts with the luciferin. This causes a chemical reaction that gives off the firefly’s familiar glow. Credit: 📹 scottradkeart pic.twitter.com/G0PGAnYcQ9

— H0W_THlNGS_W0RK (@HowThingsWork_) April 26, 2023

WHY DO FIREFLIES GLOW?

There are many reasons why lightning bugs light up in the first place. One reason is to attract mates.

Each firefly species flashes light in a unique or special pattern, which allows other fireflies to identify their fellow species and potential mates. Some fireflies flash only once, while others may do so up to nine times.

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‘EACH FIREFLY SPECIES FLASHES LIGHT IN A UNIQUE PATTERN’

Males usually fly through the air flashing, while females sit on the ground and wait until they see an impressive light show. Another reason these bugs glow is to ward off predators who might try to eat them.

Lightning bug blood has an unappetizing taste to hunters. Once predators take a bite, they remember the bad taste of the firefly light and won’t attack them in the future.

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