Life of the fireflies is mysterious; it makes us curious when in our childhood. Although we call them flies, they are not flies, but scientifically identified as beetles. Beetles are the largest among the insect orders, and belong to order Coleoptera. There are about 2000 firefly species found all around the world up to now.
- Common name: fireflies
- Scientific name: lampyridae
- Type: invertebrates
- Size: from up to 1 inch
Fireflies are adopted to live in more temperate regions consist with variety of warm habitats, as well as they often live in humid regions in America and Asia. Many species are subterranean or semi-aquatic. When the surrounding is drier, they use to find a suitable habitat with optimal moisture.
Fireflies begin their lives in an egg, which is laid in damp soil. Then it becomes to the larval stage, looks very similar to the matured adult form. Carnivorous larvae feed basically on slugs, snails, and worms. They can numb the prey by injecting specific fluid and they also have specific protruding mouthparts which help to feed on arthropods. These nocturnal beetles produce short glows, and lurk on the soil surface or under debris. Larvae use their glows as warning displays, to communicate their distastefulness. After grown as larvae, they emerge as adult fireflies. Production of defensive steroids in their bodies, make them unpalatable to predators. After reaching the adult stage, they feed on nectar or pollen.
Specific creation of the fireflies’ ability to light up is called, bioluminescence. Science behind this illumination is merely admiring. Males and females have specific organs, which process chemical reactions that allow them to light up and glow in the dark. Firefly’s light producing organ is located in the underside of their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light. Firefly’s light is “cold light” without producing heat, as a by-product, as well as it is necessary to survive the experience.
In nutshell, the process behind the illumination: Insects take in oxygen and combines with a substance called luciferin, calcium, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the presence of the enzyme luciferase. The special cells called photocytes necessitate to takes place this whole process. Scientific studies proven that female fireflies choose mates depending upon the specific rhythm of the flashing which varies in the male insects. Higher male flash rates, as well as increased flash intensity, shown to be more attractive to females in two different firefly species.
There are two types of sexual signals used by fireflies; as found, pheromones as sexual signals and luminous sexual signals. Pheromones as sexual signals appear to be the ancestral condition in fireflies and the other method as being a more recent development in them. There are species that have both mating systems, which appear to be evolutionarily intermediate.
Flash patterns of the fireflies are unique to each species as well as the light is usually intermittent. The adult fireflies of some species are not luminous at all. The light emission is started and stoped by the controlling of the chemical reaction, by the insects themselves. The light organ lights up when oxygen is available, when it is not available, light goes out.
‘Firefly biology’ is captivating, as well as better to aware on their contribution to the human life. These insects are beneficial to have in the field and garden as they indicate a healthy ecosystem and also are effective as bio-pesticides because they act as natural enemies to pests which help control pests too.
Cover photo – lifegate.com
