Are lightning bugs considered beneficial insects?
Answer Lightning bugs or fireflies are not really flies or bugs. They are beetles. The names lightning beetle or firebeetle never really caught on. These flashing insects are actually trying to attract mates. To keep from attracting a firefly of a different species, each lightning bug species has its own specific flash pattern. Flash patterns can be continuous glows, single flashes, or a series of multi-pulsed flashes. Fireflies or lightning bugs make light within their bodies. This process is called bioluminescence. To do this, the fireflies contain specialized cells containing a chemical called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase. To make light, the luciferin combines with oxygen to form an inactive molecule called oxyluciferin. The luciferase speeds up this reaction. Another chemical, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), converts to energy and causes the luciferin-luciferase mixture to light up. Small internal injections of ATP in a firefly’s tail cause flashes of light. As all livin
