Facts and Features
The firefly belongs to the Lampyridae family of the class Insecta. Fireflies are familiar to most people, although very few people know that these little insects are beetles and are a member of the Lampyridae family . Unlike other bio-luminescent insects of the Lampyridae family such as glow worms, majority of fireflies are winged, which helps distinguish them from their similar luminescent cousins.
Fireflies enjoy moist environments and are often found in the humid regions of the Americas and Asia. Where they are found in the drier areas, more then often found around wet, damp areas which retain some moisture. They live and thrive in many mildly warm habitats as well as in more temperate regions and are a familiar and welcomed sight on evenings during the warmer months.
|
How fireflies were branded their name is rather self explanatory, although many people do not know the inner workings of how fireflies produce their signature glow, a chemical reaction referred to as bio luminescence. Under their abdomens fireflies have dedicated light organs, the light organ is called
the lantern. Through the intake of oxygen and inside special cells the insects add it with an ingredient known as luciferin to yield what scientists call cold light. Fireflies also use nitric oxide to inhibit oxygen consumption by mitochondria which assist in the production of their light. Cold light refers to the production of light with almost no heat. For example fireflies give off close to 100% of there light as light energy and next to none as heat. In comparison, the produced energy of an ordinary incandescent light bulb is approximately 10% light and 90% heat. This shows how efficient these insects are in their bio-luminous projections (Ricardo B. T. et al). Fireflies have many uses for their light, they use their light as a defense mechanism which flashes an obvious message to predators of their unenticing taste. Even the firefly larvae form is luminescent which is more evidence to support this theory. They also use their amazing luminescent ability to attract unsuspecting prey luring them in close enough to catch and eat them. Firefly light is generally intermittent and each species has a unique flashing pattern. Scientists have not yet discovered exactly how fireflies are able to switch there light on and off at will although it is known that each individuals pattern of blinking is an optical signal which assists a firefly in finding a possible partner. (Ricardo B. T. et al). |
Fireflies show synchronous flashing among species, scientist have worked on this topic for years to determine whether it is purposely performed or coincidental and to find what effect if any it has on firefly's. Synchronous flashing has been seen to occur in particular species
of North American and also Southeast Asian firefly’s. Majority of the synchrony
which is seen in Southeast Asia involves the motionless congregation of
the fireflies, whereas synchrony observed in North American is seen to occur in
fireflies able to fly which don't tend to gather together (C. Jonathan 2004). Also the synchrony
seen in North America tends to be interrupted synchrony except for the North American Photuris frontalis, the only member of the Photuris genus which
shows an alternating harmonization. (Lloyd, J.E. 1966). This feat comprises of organization and recurrent re-synchronizations in mid flight (C. Jonathan 2004). Researches have studied the accuracy which transpires in the beginning of P. Frontalis synchrony by using a method of photometry and by observing fireflies constrained to cages. In each test the initial flash showed very slight variability and was exceptionally close to unison. It is thought that the ability to synchronize with the initial flash may enable male-male communications during momentary meetings such as sustaining space between closely flying males which are in pursuit of females (C. Jonathan 2004) (Lewis, S.M, and K. Christopher 2008).