Facts about Fireflies
Fireflies are apart of the Lampyridae family along with glow worms. They are not actually flies, but beetles! Firefly larvae are long, wingless, and flat. They are often times darker on the top segments and lighter on the bottom (Godawa, 2019). During a fireflies pupil stages, they can be seen forming a hard casing outside which leaves them immobile for a few weeks (Godawa, 2019). In this stage a firefly can seen moving forward into its adult form and developing wings (Godawa, 2019). As it reaches its adult stages a firefly's are about half an inch long with brown and yellow hard wing (Godawa, 2019). The insect tends to have yellow or orange markings and light can be seen shining from the abdomen. Fireflies have a short average life span of about one to two years, with a main goal of finding a mate and reproducing (Godawa, 2019).
Fireflies can be seen in a variety of habitats all over the world! They can generally be seen following the rainy season, but some do live in more dry climates. Firefly larvae tend to live in moist atmospheres, on the ground. At this stage they eat insects such as snails and slugs, using their trails as a guide and then injecting the slimy critter with a numbing fluid in order to eat them alive (firefly habitat, n.d.). Scientist are not certain what most firefly species eat. They may be eating other insects along with plants and pollen (firefly habitat, n.d.).
Fireflies glow due to a chemical reaction referred to as bioluminescence. The process of bioluminescence can be seen occurring in a light-emitting organs, often located on the lower abdomen. As oxygen enters a firefly's abdomen, it reacts with a chemical called luciferin which is what results in fireflies glowing. Nearly 100% of their light is given off as light in comparison to incandescent light bulbs which only gives off 10% light . They use bioluminescence for sexual communication.
Fireflies can be seen in a variety of habitats all over the world! They can generally be seen following the rainy season, but some do live in more dry climates. Firefly larvae tend to live in moist atmospheres, on the ground. At this stage they eat insects such as snails and slugs, using their trails as a guide and then injecting the slimy critter with a numbing fluid in order to eat them alive (firefly habitat, n.d.). Scientist are not certain what most firefly species eat. They may be eating other insects along with plants and pollen (firefly habitat, n.d.).
Fireflies glow due to a chemical reaction referred to as bioluminescence. The process of bioluminescence can be seen occurring in a light-emitting organs, often located on the lower abdomen. As oxygen enters a firefly's abdomen, it reacts with a chemical called luciferin which is what results in fireflies glowing. Nearly 100% of their light is given off as light in comparison to incandescent light bulbs which only gives off 10% light . They use bioluminescence for sexual communication.