Facts About Fireflies

Fireflies' Glow

• Fireflies are most famous for their glow. The proper name for this glow is bioluminescence. Two chemicals, luciferase and luciferin, interact with oxygen and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to create a chemical reaction that releases energy, producing light. This reaction is very efficient, as almost all of the energy released is cold light. Very little, if any, heat is produced. In some species, even the eggs and larvae can produce light. The pattern a firefly produces depends on its species. Scientists have been unable to determine exactly how fireflies turn on and off their light or even why they emit light, but some believe it is to attract mates or to warn predators that they taste bad.

Habitat

• Fireflies need to live near standing water and prefer a warm environment. Some species of fireflies even have gills and live completely in the water. Other species live their entire lives in and around trees. While fireflies are common in eastern North America, few are found in western North America, despite the presence of several ecosystems which are firefly-friendly.

Lifespan and Diet

• Firefly larvae live for about a year and eat worms, snails and slugs. Larvae kill their prey by injecting them with a numbing substance, which also aids in digestion. As adults, fireflies live primarily on plant pollen or nectar; some species do not eat at all once reaching adulthood. Fireflies live only a few weeks to two months once they reach adulthood. Fireflies produce chemicals in their blood that make them bitter and possibly poisonous. This is to discourage predators from eating them.

Scientific Uses for Fireflies

• Because of the chemicals they produce, fireflies can be used to detect diseases in humans. Scientists inject the bioluminescent chemicals from fireflies into the body. The chemicals then light up in the presence of excess ATP, which may indicate abnormal cell growth. The same chemicals can also be used to find contaminated food.