Other than being enjoyable to watch, what is the purpose of lighting bugs?

Question

I really enjoy watching them on summer evenings.

Answer 1

From Wikipedia:
Fireflies ( family Lampyridae), also called lightning bugs, are nocturnal, luminous beetles. These names come from the fact that some species as adults emit flashes of light to attract mates for sexual reproduction, using special light-emitting organs in the abdomen. The enzyme luciferase acts on the substrate luciferin to stimulate light emission. This reaction is of scientific interest, and genes coding for these substances have been spliced into many different organisms.

Many species, especially in the genus Photinus, are distinguished by the unique courtship flash patterns emitted by flying males as they search for females. Photinus females generally do not fly, but give a flash response to males of their own species.

The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other larvae, terrestrial snails, and slugs.

So, as usual, it gets down to sex -- get the guy/girl and make more lightning bugs. Also, the larvae seem to have a good purpose in life, unless you *like* slugs! LOL!

Answer 2

The first job that I had when I was 12 yrs old was to change the batteries in them.

Have a good evening, Jim

Answer 3

Well, when I was little I would get them and write with them on the sidewalk......kind of messy, but enjoyable for a little kid. Other than that, I guess they can be food for frogs.

Answer 4

I don't know, but aren't we lucky to have such a cool thing???

Did you know that there are different subspecies and they each flash a different pattern? That's how they attract the same sub-species mate!

Answer 5

To attract a mate

Answer 6

they are not bugs, they are little fairies, thats why you enjoy watching them so much.