2006-07-19 12:20:59 · 18 answers · asked by oddkanga427 1 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
Flashing Lightning Bugs are trying to attract mates. Among most but not all species of North American Lightning Bugs, males fly about flashing while females perch on vegetation, usually near the ground. If the female sees a flasher and she's ready to mate she responds by flashing right after the male's last flash. A short flash dialogue takes place as the male flies closer and closer, and then, if all goes well, they mate.
So that a flasher doesn't attract a firefly of a different species, each Lightning Bug species has its own specific flash pattern. Flash patterns range from continuous glows to single flashes, to series of multi-pulsed flashes.
Among some species both males and females flash, but among others only the members of one sex do it. Some Lightning Bug species don't flash at all. All known firefly larvae, which are wingless and mostly live on the ground and under bark, produce light. If you see only a glow on the ground, it can be tricky deciding whether you're seeing a firefly larva, a glow-worm, or some other luminescent insect.
2006-07-19 12:23:40 · answer #1 · answered by D J 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well the person above is pretty much accurate in saying that lightning bugs light up because they're horny....haha...they do this when they are getting ready to mate. I lived in Leonardtown maryland for a while and the usual time that they lit up was during the summer so you can tell when lightning bugs are at the brink of their mating season. Certain enzymes fireflies have react with oxygen and a couple other chemicals to form the "lighting up"
2006-07-19 12:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chemical luciferin is what causes them to light up. I was once wondering that myself and looked it up. Couldn't believe someone else asked that too. lol.
If you want more information, just go to yahoo.com or google.com and use their search engine to type in ''lightning bugs''. That should be alot more helpful. You'll get atleast a full page and probably more about it. Also try typing ''luciferin'' and find out what comes up.
2006-07-19 12:24:44 · answer #3 · answered by Backtash123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
didnt I already answer this? and didnt I already get best answer 4 it? they light up cuz that is how they attract mates. you can try mimmicking one with a flash light and try to attract some bugs to you cuz they will think that the flashlight is one of them.
2006-07-19 12:25:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Military Grade Tactical Flashlight : http://FlashLight.uzaev.com/?CBMq
2016-07-11 10:29:59 · answer #5 · answered by Selina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They light up because they want to get a better glimpse at how ugly you are
2006-07-19 12:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chemicals in there abdomen contain chemicals that emit a subtle glow.
2006-07-19 12:23:56 · answer #7 · answered by Brian G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a type of communtaction 4 location of food and mating and stuff like that
2006-07-19 12:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by bob 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so they can see each other.
Seriously, I heard that only their butts light up.
hmmmm... how many reasons can you think of for that?
2006-07-19 12:27:27 · answer #9 · answered by helpme1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
god gave them a light bulb
2006-07-19 12:41:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋