![]() But fireflies are not the only insects that produce light: certain click beetles are also bioluminescent.įireflies and click beetles are closely related, and they both use identical luciferin and similar luciferases to create light. The light comes from a specialized organ of the firefly where a small molecule, luciferin, is broken down by the enzyme luciferase.įireflies are an ancient group, with the common ancestor of the two main lineages originating over 100 million years ago. Their light signals are ‘love messages’ that help the insects find a mate – yet, they also warn a potential predator that these beetles have powerful chemical defenses. Glowing fireflies dancing in the dark are one of the most enchanting sights of a warm summer night. National Institute for Basic Biology, Japan.University of Tennessee HSC, United States.University of California Davis, United States. ![]() ![]() Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), United Kingdom.Center of Agronomic Research, National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Argentina.Arizona State University, United States.Brigham Young University, United States.Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, United States.University of Rochester, United States.Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States.Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, United States.
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