Fireflies are interesting insects for many reasons. One main reason is because fireflies can light up and they do it with nearly 100% efficiency. Fireflies produce light from a chemical reaction involving an enzyme called luciferase. This enzyme is being used in medical research because of its unique properties. Not only are they important to humans in that sense, but they are also good for the garden because they are carnivorous and will eat pests.
Fireflies represent childhood, dreams, and fairytales. They are mentioned in many forms of art ranging from poetry, to drawings, to songs. Faith Hill, a country singer, is one of many people to sing about fireflies.
Click through the pages to learn more about this amazing insect!
Firefly Fun Facts
Fireflies represent childhood, dreams, and fairytales. They are mentioned in many forms of art ranging from poetry, to drawings, to songs. Faith Hill, a country singer, is one of many people to sing about fireflies.
Click through the pages to learn more about this amazing insect!
Firefly Fun Facts
- Fireflies are actually beetles. In the United States, they are also known as lightning bugs, fire bugs, or moon bugs. Different countries around the world have their own common names for these insects.
- There are over 2,000 species of fireflies. Some species light up and others do not light up at all.
- Fireflies can synchronize their flashes or imitate each others flash patterns in the mating ritual.
- The enzyme used to produce light, luciferase, is also being used in medical research.
- Light pollution disrupts firefly mating which has lead to a decline in the overall population.
- Certain species are classified as synchronous fireflies. In comparisons to ones you might find in your backyard, they light up in sync. They can be found in the Great Smoky Mountains, Allegheny National Forest, Congaree National Park, Southeast Asian mangrove forests, and Cajon Bonito Arizona. These spectacles are open for visit.