How do lightning bugs light up?

Fireflies or lightning bugs make light within their bodies. This process is called bioluminescence and is shared by many other organisms, mostly sea-living or marine organisms. Fireflies light up to attract a mate. To do this, the fireflies contain specialized cells in their abdomen that make light. read more

Firefly blood contains lucibufagins, which sounds like something out of a Harry Potter book but is actually a defensive steroid that tastes really gross. Predators associate the bad taste with a firefly’s light and learn not to eat bugs that glow. 9. They light up the underworld. Or underground, at least. read more

Male fireflies also light up to signal their desire for mates – and willing females attract the males with flashes of their own. “Fireflies on top of the wave of grass and overflowing. Biggest firefly show in years. ” by Eileen Claffey in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, June, 2015. read more

Bottom line: Fireflies light up because of a chemical reaction between an organic compound in the fireflies’ abdomens – called luciferin – and the air. Help EarthSky keep going! Please donate what you can to our annual crowd-funding campaign. read more