Why lightning bugs

Shown above is top dorsal view of Photinus sp. Shown above is side lateral view of Photinus sp. Few other insects can be confused with Lightning Bugs because other insects do not possess such light-producing structures on their abdomens. Larvae of most species of Lightning Bugs are specialized predators and feed on other insect larvae, snails and slugs.

Photo by Gerald J. Lenhard, www. Common Name:. Lightning bug. Other Common Name s :. Type of Beneficial:. Insect predator. Type of Metamorphosis:. Immature stages appear different from the adult stage i. Beneficial Stage s :. Immature stages are predators.

Adults of some species are also predatory. Larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other insect larvae, snails and slugs. They are also reported to feed on earthworms. Adults of some species apparently do not feed. Due to urban sprawl over the last few decades, large swarms of lightning bugs are a less frequent occurrence across the Galveston-Houston region; however, small swarms still occur, primarily away from city lights and in more open areas of vegetation.

Mounted Specimen? If a population of blue ghosts is destroyed by logging or other disruption, there will be no reestablishment. Habitat destruction is therefore one of the greatest threats to fireflies. Other hazards include light pollution from artificial lights and perhaps insecticide applications for mosquito control.

There is much yet to learn about fireflies. Entomologists like me have identified about or so species in North America , but it is clear that many more species occur here. Pay attention to the fireflies in your neighborhood; observe their flash patterns and behavior. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The area is wet most of the year and contains several shallow ponds. One summer was particularly bad with gypsy moths and the township decided to spray for the moth since many trees were decimated by the moth.

The unfortunate byproduct to spraying for the gypsy moth was an end to the summer night spectacular brought on by the lighting bugs since their numbers were eliminated down to only a handful. Sometimes I think we should let nature run its course. Clyde Sorenson , North Carolina State University You might not really be sure you saw what you think you saw when the first one shows up.

Bioluminescent beetles Fireflies produce light in special organs in their abdomens by combining a chemical called luciferin, enzymes called luciferases, oxygen and the fuel for cellular work, ATP. Categories: The Abstract Tags: bioluminescence ecology entomology fireflies insects wildlife habitat. View Comments 1 total responses. Leave a Response Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.

All fields are required. When this chemical is combined with oxygen, it forms a new chemical called oxyluciferin which causes the firefly to produce light. Unlike the warm or hot light produced by a light bulb, lightning bugs give off a cold light.

There are more than 2, firefly species and not all of them glow. Of those that do, the light they produce can be green, yellow or orange in color. There are many reasons why lightning bugs light up in the first place.