Firefly | Facts & Information

Origin

The light with the highest intensity is produced by the species Photinus pyralis, which lives in Central and South America.

In the caves of Australia and New Zealand he builds on the ceiling luminous tubes of silky mucus that can be 1m long. these tubes resemble glued droplets or a string of pearls, they are of extraordinary beauty. They build them in dark places like with their light the insects they feed on. These silky tubes have become a tourist attraction even if fireflies don't like them.

In some species females do not have wings, they have to light up to attract males.

They are also called Lucid worms.

Firefly Feed

Most adults do not feed at all, have no mouth and no digestive system, instead the larvae that live in the soil prey on snails, worms and caterpillars.

The Firefly injects its prey with digestive enzymes that paralyze and break down tissues and then suck the fluids inside them.

Some firefly larvae eat mites or even pollen particles.

Features Fireflies

Fireflies are usually black or brown and have elongated bodies. If you were holding a firefly in your hand you would notice that they have quite fragile bodies unlike other types of cockroaches.

It is necessary to be held in the hand carefully because they crush very easily. Viewed from above, the Firefly appears to have its head protected by a large shield, a feature of the Firefly family. In most Fireflies the last two or three abdominal segments are modified as light-generating organs.

Firefly larvae live in dark and damp places – in the soil, under the bark of trees, even in swampy areas. Like adults, firefly larvae produce light. In fact, fireflies produce light at all stages.

The light produced is a bio luminescence, which is made with the help of an enzyme called luciferase, which with triphosphoric acid (ATP) in the presence of oxygen, by oxidation, releases energy in the form of light in a percentage of 95% with a very low percentage of heat.

So far it has not been possible with the current technique to produce light with such a high yield. The light produced by a firefly in size is 1,000 times as powerful as the light produced by a candle.

The larvae are velvety black or brownish in color. Larvae and adult females are only 25mm long, and a male is only 15mm long. Their weight, regardless of whether they are adults or larvae is several grams. They live in colonies with other Fireflies and larvae and are very strict with the territory.

Three species of fireflies live in Central Europe:

Lamprohiza splendidula

Lampyris noctiluca

Phosphaenus hemipterus

Firefly Breeding

Fireflies lay eggs in moist soil. These eggs hatch after a few weeks becoming larvae. They remain in the larva stage for several years before becoming pupae in the spring. In a period between 10 days and a few weeks, adults who live only long enough to lay eggs come out.

Fireflies are best known for their most interesting adaptation – they emit light. Male fireflies emit light from the abdomen in species-specific patterns in the hope of attracting the attention of females hiding in the grass. The interested female will signal in the same manner thus helping the male to find her in the dark.

Some females use this behavior for more sinister purposes. Females of some species mimic the lighting patterns of other species by luring males of other species.

When the male arrives, she will eat him. Male fireflies are endowed with defense chemicals that will help them better protect their eggs. Most females are not cannibals.