Fireflies--Where do they get their light

Do you wonder where fireflies got their internal light? Fireflies' abdomen cells actually contain the chemical Luciferin and an enzyme called Luciferase. To make light, the Luciferin combines with Oxygen to form an inactive molecule called Oxyluciferin. The Luciferase speeds up the reaction, which occurs in two steps.An intermediate Luciferyl Adenylate is formed,which reacts with Oxygen to form Light and Oxyluciferin.This process is called bioluminescence. Same is true with angler fish which also produces light, but they use it to catch the prey.

One reason that fireflies glow is to attract a mate. Males and females of the same species will flash signals back and forth as a way of communicating. Each firefly species has its own particular pattern. For example, the fireflies of one species will fly around in the night sky and dive steeply just as the flash begins and turn upward to make a distinctive J-shaped pattern of light. Female fireflies hang out on a tree branch or in the grass while the males fly around showing off their best flashes. When a female recognizes the flash from a male of the same species, she will answer with her best flash.

Another reason that fireflies glow is to avoid predators. Fireflies are filled with a nasty tasting chemical called lucibufagens, and after a predator gets a mouthful, it quickly learns to associate the firefly's glow with this bad taste! So not only does the flashing help attract a mate, but it also warns predators to stay away.

Having Lucibufagens is so important for survival that one species of firefly that can't make this chemical acquires it by eating other species that can make it. They do this by mimicking the flash pattern of another species and luring them in close. The unsuspecting male firefly thinks he is going to find a mate, but instead becomes a tasty treat to the tricky firefly.