Fireflies

Fireflies are also known as lightning bugs and not many people know that they are neither flies nor bugs, they are beetles. There are 2,000 species on our planet but only some of those species have the ability to light up. Those who don't produce light are usually most active during the day.

Fireflies are bioluminescent, which means they are living creatures that can produce light. The light is used to attract prey and members of the opposite sex and warn off predators. The male of some species often synchronize their flashes with one another during courtship, this is called “entraining”. They flash a species-specific pattern to show

females they are free, if a female is interested, she replies and helps the male find her.

Colors of fireflies vary among species. The flashing part of fireflies is called a lantern.

Sadly, the populations of these amazing creatures are diminishing, and climate change is one of the causes. When firefly habitats are destroyed for example during road works, and construction, they don’t migrate, they just disappear!

Picture by: Yu Hashimoto

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