How is the light in fireflies produced?
The light produced by fireflies (Photinus pyroles), or lightning bugs, is a heatless light called bioluminescence. Bioluminescence occurs in a number of species of bacteria, fungi, insects, some marine invertebrates (animals without spines) and fish. Bioluminescence in fireflies is caused by a chemical reaction in which the organic compound luciferin undergoes oxidation (the combination of a substance with oxygen) in the presence of the enzyme luciferase. The flash of light occurs when the oxidating chemicals jump to a high-energy state and then revert to their normal state. The rate of flashing is controlled by the firefly’s nervous system and takes place in special air-tube-containing cells called photocytes. The rhythmic flashing is most likely a mating signal. The flashing may also be a warning signal, designed to remind predators that the firefly has an unpleasant…
