What is the science behind that? They are my favorite bug.
2007-08-14 16:05:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Fireflies light up to atract mates or prey. It's a survival mechanism.
Light production is initiated in the bug's abdomen by means of a chemical reaction. These bugs are extremely efficient in producing the little bit of light they produce. 96% of energy used is converted to light. Compare to the "dim" 10% of energy converted to light in a common light bulb.
2007-08-14 16:56:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In simple terms, fireflies produce two chemicals that mix with each other and oxygen in a process called bioluminescence. While bioluminescence is common in marine creatures, the firefly is one of only three out-of-water species that has this remarkable ability (the other two are a worm and a type of fungus). By the way, scientists DO know how this process works. The protein that helps the reaction is called "luciferase," and it uses a compound called luciferin, along with oxygen and an energy molucule (called ATP) to make the light. The light emitted by fireflies is unique. Nearly 100 percent of the energy is given off as visible light; compared to an electric light bulb, where about 10 percent of the energy is light and the other 90 percent is given off as heat. (Warning: Nerd explanation!!! Luciferin, a heat resistant substrate, is the source of light; luciferase, an enzyme, is the trigger; and oxygen is the fuel. A body chemical, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), is converted to energy and causes the luciferin-luciferase mixture to light up. Small internal injections of ATP in the firefly tail cause flashes of light that can be measured quantitatively.) And, we use this process in science and medical research all the time. What is unknown and commonly speculated upon is the behavioral use of this process. It has been attributed to mating rituals, but fireflies do not always mate when they are "lighting up."
2016-05-18 00:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luciferase.
2007-08-14 16:10:45 · answer #3 · answered by BotanyDave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its caused by a chemical reaction. they use these lights to speak to each other and to attract a mate.
2007-08-14 16:09:15 · answer #4 · answered by D310N 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check this out!
2007-08-14 16:10:43 · answer #5 · answered by Monte T 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's a mating thing
2007-08-14 16:09:06 · answer #6 · answered by dahorndogd013 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋