The firefly is quite an interesting bug and in parts of the world it is known as the lightning bug. Most people don't realise that they are beetles and are nocturnal members of the insect family, Lampyridae. This is the same family as glow worms. Its size is about 2.5 cm long and is relevant to the length of a normal paper clip. Even though they are from the same family, you can tell that they are different from the wings of the firefly.
Most people know how the firefly got its name but don't know how they produce their bright glow. These fascinating creatures get their glow from light organs that are located under the abdomen. As the insect take in oxygen, with their special cells, they mix it with a substance know as luciferin to produce light with nothing else to help it. Firefly light is usually irregular and flashes in patterns that are unique to each type of species. Blinking patterns occur when the fireflies want to find a possible. One of the mysterious things about the firefly is that scientists don't know how the fireflies turn their lights on and off.
In the whole world there are about 2,000 different species of fireflies. These glowing insects live in a mixture of warm environments, and in more temperate regions, are a recognizable thing to see on a summer evening. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid areas of Asia and America. In drier parts of the land they are seen around wet or damp places that keep hold of moisture. Surprisingly, some Asian species are fully aquatic, due to the fact that they have gills, and live under water. Most firefly larvae are found in rotting wood, pieces of forest litter or on the edges of streams and ponds at night. Others leave their larvae in the ground and they develop under the ground until adulthood.
The diet of an adult firefly varies depending on what species it is. Some species feed on only pollen and nectar and others depend on earthworms and snails. The ones that live under water eat aquatic snails and the larvae in the ground feed upon earthworms and slugs by injecting them with numbing fluid.
Most people know how the firefly got its name but don't know how they produce their bright glow. These fascinating creatures get their glow from light organs that are located under the abdomen. As the insect take in oxygen, with their special cells, they mix it with a substance know as luciferin to produce light with nothing else to help it. Firefly light is usually irregular and flashes in patterns that are unique to each type of species. Blinking patterns occur when the fireflies want to find a possible. One of the mysterious things about the firefly is that scientists don't know how the fireflies turn their lights on and off.
In the whole world there are about 2,000 different species of fireflies. These glowing insects live in a mixture of warm environments, and in more temperate regions, are a recognizable thing to see on a summer evening. Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid areas of Asia and America. In drier parts of the land they are seen around wet or damp places that keep hold of moisture. Surprisingly, some Asian species are fully aquatic, due to the fact that they have gills, and live under water. Most firefly larvae are found in rotting wood, pieces of forest litter or on the edges of streams and ponds at night. Others leave their larvae in the ground and they develop under the ground until adulthood.
The diet of an adult firefly varies depending on what species it is. Some species feed on only pollen and nectar and others depend on earthworms and snails. The ones that live under water eat aquatic snails and the larvae in the ground feed upon earthworms and slugs by injecting them with numbing fluid.
Fireflies are fascinating creatures and were alot of fun to research about.
3 comments:
Tiny typo on the last line - a lot - is 2 words.
Ok, that was great to read!! Top marks. I saw them only once in Australia, up in Mackay, a long time ago.
http://rainforest-australia.com/beetles_Extra.htm
Slinky, I am proud of your research work for this insect because of my poor knowledge of the nature. I was not that lucky to be trained when I was young.- clu
Typo - at the very end... a lot is two words :)
From Ms S
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