Lampyridae
Fireflies are from the family Lampyridae. There are other bioluminescent insects (in the families Elateridae and Phengodidae) as well as some plants and fungus but for this project we are focusing on the firefly, the lightning bug.
I became interested in fireflies because of the song by Owl City, Fireflies. This project will explore this fascinating insect using the song as a starting point.Fireflies capture the imagination of the cultures that are graced with their presence, which includes most temperate ranges on all the continents except Antarctica (They don't fare well in the cold). In North America the Fireflies you will mostly likely encounter are from the subfamily Photurinae. The fireflies in Europe, Asia and Australia mostly belong to the subfamily Luciolinae, the largest subfamily of fireflies.
In many parts of the U.S. capturing fireflies is a summer pastime. Since firefly populations are dwindling (more on that later) doing so safely is important. Instructions can be found Here. |
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Fire Without Heat (well not much).
Firefly bioluminescence is a chemical reaction between luciferin, luciferase and oxygen. Mostly this produces a yellow-green light but other colors are possible including red, blue-green, and white. The fireflies use this light for mating, defense (turns out this mixture tastes terrible, or so I'm told), and predation. Humans are using the principles learned from fireflies in a range of applications from the extraterrestrial search for life (the reaction can be used to test for the presence of ATP) to medical and pest control.
North American Fireflies
Common Species with a key
Key
1, Aspisoma; 2, Micronaspis; 3, Pyractomena; 4, Tenaspis; 5, Lucidota; 6, Ellychnia; 7, Phausis; 8, Photinus; 9, Pyropyga; 10, Pleotomodes; 11, Bicellonycha; 12, Photuris - Photo by Terry A. Lynch. Click on the name for color versions.
What about the 10 Million Fireflies?Evidence indicates that the number of fireflies is dwindling due to the usual suspects, environmental degredation and habitat loss, and also due to light pollution. The theory is that - since the firefly uses its light for food, not being food, and reproduction - the light pollution that affects our ability to see the Milky Way is reducing the fireflies' ability to survive and reproduce. Interestingly fireflies havemn't been studied very well so we just don't have the data to determine the extent of the problem. Scientists and amateur entomologists are working to change that.
Want to encourage fireflies in your area? That information is right here. |
Fireflies show up in our culture in strange places. The image on the left is from the show Firefly. For the un-initiated it is a show set in the far future with a retro western sensibility. It is a must see if you haven't already. Fireflies also feature in literature including this poem by Poet Laureate Robert Frost:
Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies, That though they never equal stars in size, (And they were never really stars at heart) Achieve at times a very star-like start. Only, of course, they can't sustain the part. |
Light Bugs, Tastes Terrible, Less filling.
Fireflies of the genus Photinus are known to be avoided by birds and, in fact, are capable of killing lizards like the Bearded Dragon, an import from Australia. Since the insects are an easy to locate food source (what with the light and all), why is that? It turns out that fireflies, in addition to the chemical process that creates their light, also synthesize a toxin called lucibufagin. This toxin tastes terrible and if enough of it is ingested by the predator, can kill them. Scientists aren't sure, but they think the insect synthesizes lucibufagin out of ingested proteins.
Fireflies themselves either eat nectar and honey or don't eat as adults, although there are exceptions, they are mostly concerned with reproduction. The larvae (they are holometabolic - complete metamorphosis) eat things like slug larvae by injecting them with digestive enzymes and consuming the results.
Fireflies themselves either eat nectar and honey or don't eat as adults, although there are exceptions, they are mostly concerned with reproduction. The larvae (they are holometabolic - complete metamorphosis) eat things like slug larvae by injecting them with digestive enzymes and consuming the results.