Firefly Features and Characteristics
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lampyridae
Fireflies are an amazing example of how insects adapt so specifically to survive.Fireflies are also known as lightning bugs, Firefly Beetle, Glow Worm, Glow Fly, Moon Bug and Golden Sparkler. With over 2000 species of fireflies, mating can become a very confusing ordeal. In particular, Photinus firefly males produce bio- luminescent flashes spontaneously as part of their mating ritual. A Photinus female responds preferentially to a certain males flashes with her own flashes (K. Cratsley and M. Lewis 2003)
According to Darwin 1871, females preferential choice for particular male courtship traits are proposed to be involved in a males evolution of elaborate phenotypic traits.
Fireflies achieve their spectacular illuminating events through chemical reactions which consist of Luciferase (an enzyme) along with Luciferin (a substrate), oxygen and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Light is the product of adding all these components together . McElroy (1951) portrayed the reaction as,
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Lampyridae
Fireflies are an amazing example of how insects adapt so specifically to survive.Fireflies are also known as lightning bugs, Firefly Beetle, Glow Worm, Glow Fly, Moon Bug and Golden Sparkler. With over 2000 species of fireflies, mating can become a very confusing ordeal. In particular, Photinus firefly males produce bio- luminescent flashes spontaneously as part of their mating ritual. A Photinus female responds preferentially to a certain males flashes with her own flashes (K. Cratsley and M. Lewis 2003)
According to Darwin 1871, females preferential choice for particular male courtship traits are proposed to be involved in a males evolution of elaborate phenotypic traits.
Fireflies achieve their spectacular illuminating events through chemical reactions which consist of Luciferase (an enzyme) along with Luciferin (a substrate), oxygen and ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Light is the product of adding all these components together . McElroy (1951) portrayed the reaction as,
Figure 3.