Lighting Bugs- Fireflies

Lightning Bugs

(Fireflies)

Photo courtesy of Kevin Adams
Photography:
http://www.kadamsphoto.com/

As a child, I'm sure most of us have collected a few fireflies and put them in a jar. Their magical light captivated us (at least for a few precious years) in our youth. Fireflies are a familiar insect of warm summer nights. Did you know that these insects are actually nocturnal (meaning they come out at night) beetles? They are members of the family Lampyridae. Most fireflies have wings, which distinguishes them from other luminescent insects of the same family, commonly known as glowworms.

There are about 2,000 different species of fireflies. These insects live in a variety of warm environments, as well as other temperate regions. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions of Asia and the Americas. In drier areas, they are found around wet or damp areas that retain moisture.

Most everyone can see how fireflies got their name, but many people might not know how these insects produce their signature glow. Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat.

FLICKR / GETTY IMAGES
from Time Lists

Firefly light is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns that are unique to each species. Each blinking pattern is an optical signal that helps fireflies find potential mates. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate this process to turn their lights on and off.

Firefly light may also serve as a defense mechanism that flashes a clear warning to would be predators: Don't eat me - I don't taste good! The fact that even larvae are luminescent lends support to this theory.

Females deposit their eggs in the ground, which is where larvae develop to adulthood. Underground larvae feed on worms and slugs by injecting them with a numbing fluid.

Adults typically feed on nectar or pollen, though some adults do not eat at all.  Sounds amazing, but adults typically don't live any longer than 2 months.  (National Geographic)

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Blog by: Scott Glaze

President of Arab Termite & Pest Control of Kokomo, Inc.