Fireflies, also called lightning bugs, are a family of beetle species found on every continent except Antarctica, best known for their ability to produce light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, generated in specialized light organs typically located near the tip of the abdomen. Most firefly species use their light in a species-specific flashing pattern to attract mates in the dark, with males typically flying and flashing while females respond from vegetation below, and the larvae of many species are also luminous, sometimes called glowworms, and are effective predators of snails and slugs. Adult fireflies of many species feed little or not at all, focusing their short adult lives on reproduction, and several species have seen population declines linked to light pollution, which disrupts their flash-based mating signals, along with habitat loss and pesticide use.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) System (Realm) System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleEcotourism and Research 2 Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceSoft-bodied beetles with bioluminescent light organs (photophores) usually on the lower abdomen, producing a cold light with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies, mainly to attract mates. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Scientific NameFamily Lampyridae (more than 2,400 described species) 1 Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Firefly (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Firefly (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia: Firefly, introduction
The Lampyridae are a family of elateroid beetles with more than 2,400 described species, many of which are light-emitting.
Wikipedia: Firefly, Light and chemical production section
Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies.
View the Source 2. Firefly (Wikipedia)
Research use
Firefly luciferase is used in forensics, and the enzyme has medical uses, in particular, for detecting the presence of ATP or magnesium.
Article text: "The larvae of most species are specialized preda"
The larvae of most species are specialized predators and feed on other larvae, terrestrial snails, and slugs.
In Biome: Freshwater Marsh, Lead
Many live in marshes or in wet, wooded areas where their larvae have abundant sources of food.
View the Source3. GBIF Species API
4. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ25420, descriptionView the Source 5. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Insecta
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 28Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 28
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Arthropoda","class":"Insecta","order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Insectos","language":"ES"},{"name":"Insects","language":"EN"},{"name":"Insectes","language":"FR"},{"name":"昆虫纲","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source Wikidata: Firefly
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Coleoptera
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 56Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 56
"cites_listing":"II/III/NC","eu_listing":"B/C/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Arthropoda","class":"Insecta","order":"Coleoptera","family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"鞘翅目","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ColeopteraView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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