Bioluminescent Creatures

Bioluminescence means the production and emission of lighted created through chemical reactions within a cell/organism. Apparently all living cells produce some degree of bioluminescence, but most are slight and not visible to our sight.

Bioluminescent organisms are ones which emit visible light and 80 percent of all known bioluminescent creatures live in the ocean.

Fireflies
Fireflies aren't actually flies - they're winged beetles that use the bioluminescence created in their abdomen to attract mates or lure prey.

Some facts:
- "All fireflies glow as larvae. Bioluminescence serves a different function in lampyrid larvae than it does in adults. It appears to be a warning signal to predators, since many firefly larvae contain chemicals that are distasteful or toxic."
- "Some species, especially lightning bugs of the genera Photinus, Photuris, and Pyractomena, are distinguished by the unique courtship flash patterns emitted by flying males in search of females. In general, females of the Photinus genus do not fly, but do give a flash response to males of their own species."
- "Female Photuris fireflies are known for mimicking the mating flashes of other "lightning bugs" for the sole purpose of predation. Target males are attracted to what appears to be a suitable mate, and are then eaten."
(from wikipedia)

A magical looking picture of fireflies, but the site that I found it on didn't provide information it. I'm guessing that these are two different types of fireflies, the blue light being from Blue ghost fireflies.

Blue Ghost Firefly:

quote:

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"Unlike many fireflies found in the eastern and central United States, the luminescence of P. reticulata adults is characterized by a steady glow, instead of a species-specific pattern of flashes."

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