Fireflys
Fireflies
The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it 's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
- Mark Twain, A Letter to George Bainton, 10/15/1888
Across America they’re known as lightning bugs, fireflies, or glow bugs, and even peenie wallies; blinkies in Jamaica or Hing Hoy, if you’re from Thailand. These beetles, not bugs or even flies, are nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae and are scientifically known as Photuris lucicrescens. For the sake of simplicity and a lack of confusion these insects will be referred to as fireflies for the remainder of this paper. There are approximately 2,000 different species of fireflies around the world and these insects thrive in warm environments. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions.
Everyone can figure how these creatures got their names but most do not understand how they actually do what they are known for doing. Fireflies have organs below their abdomens dedicated to their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence, which is actually used to attract mates and communicate. These omnivorous beetles take in oxygen and, with the help of special cells, the oxygen mixes with an ingredient called luciferin to produce light with virtually no heat. Each species uses this ability to help find a potential mate and the light also serves as a defense mechanism flashing a clear light cautioning predators of the insect’s unpalatable taste.
The light of the firefly is typically transmitted intermittently and the patterns of flashes have shown to be unique to each species. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate the process to turn their lights on and off, but it has been understood that the spectacular summertime shows aren’t just for our entertainment and the fireflies do control their on and off abilities. Although their bioluminescent brilliance is present throughout their lifecycle, not all adult fireflies flash.
The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it 's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
- Mark Twain, A Letter to George Bainton, 10/15/1888
Across America they’re known as lightning bugs, fireflies, or glow bugs, and even peenie wallies; blinkies in Jamaica or Hing Hoy, if you’re from Thailand. These beetles, not bugs or even flies, are nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae and are scientifically known as Photuris lucicrescens. For the sake of simplicity and a lack of confusion these insects will be referred to as fireflies for the remainder of this paper. There are approximately 2,000 different species of fireflies around the world and these insects thrive in warm environments. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions.
Everyone can figure how these creatures got their names but most do not understand how they actually do what they are known for doing. Fireflies have organs below their abdomens dedicated to their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence, which is actually used to attract mates and communicate. These omnivorous beetles take in oxygen and, with the help of special cells, the oxygen mixes with an ingredient called luciferin to produce light with virtually no heat. Each species uses this ability to help find a potential mate and the light also serves as a defense mechanism flashing a clear light cautioning predators of the insect’s unpalatable taste.
The light of the firefly is typically transmitted intermittently and the patterns of flashes have shown to be unique to each species. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate the process to turn their lights on and off, but it has been understood that the spectacular summertime shows aren’t just for our entertainment and the fireflies do control their on and off abilities. Although their bioluminescent brilliance is present throughout their lifecycle, not all adult fireflies flash.
Cited: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly http://lightningbugrun.wordpress.com/lightning-bug-facts/ http://www.firefly.org/