How Do Fireflies Glow?
Question:
Dear Digger Doug,
How do fireflies glow?
Answer:
Dear Sisi & Katie,
Fireflies are one of the coolest parts of summertime because they are insects that glow! This is because of something called bioluminescence (bye-oh-LOO-mih-NESS-ents). Bioluminescence is the ability of a living thing to make its own light through chemical reactions. In fireflies, the light is produced through a chemical reaction between oxygen and other special chemicals. When the oxygen is used inside the firefly’s body to react with the other chemicals, it produces light as a product of the reaction. Fireflies rest during the day and come out at night to use their light to attract mates. Since it is dark at night, the fireflies can see each other’s lights. It’s almost as if the lights are love letters sent to attract other fireflies. Fireflies are not the only living things to make light through bioluminescence. Certain kinds of mushrooms, jellyfish, plankton, and bacteria can also make their own light. The existence of such an amazing process like bioluminescence in numerous species of living organisms points to a common, intelligent Designer.
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