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In the nature we will always find incredible phenomena that will not make admire the beauty of the formations or creations in the different ecosystems, perhaps one of the natural phenomena that but has astonished to all, especially in the childhood, our innocence and ignorance of certain things give him a fantastic touch, do you remember the first time that you saw a firefly and you could not understand how it was possible that his belly was illuminated? We see why these singular beetles have a sophisticated system of natural lighting.

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Bioluminescence:

Bioluminescence is the production of light by certain living organisms. The word comes from the Greek βίος (bios) which mean "life" and from the Latin lumen which means "light".

Biochemically, it is the process by which living organisms produce light as a result of a biochemical reaction commonly involving an enzyme called luciferase. The reaction occurs as follows: oxygen oxidizes the substrate (a protein called luciferin); luciferase accelerates the reaction, and ATP provides the energy for the reaction, producing water and light, which is very noticeable during the night.

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We will not be able to cover all the animals that have Bioluminescence that we leave for another moment, therefore, we will focus only on the Fireflies, those small insects that have been an inspiration for children's stories and with which at some time we enjoy watching them a lot.

Fireflies and their family:

The lampiridae (Lampyridae) are a family of polyphagous coleoptera that includes insects known as fireflies, light bugs, cucumber isondus, and light worms, characterized by their ability to emit light (bioluminescence). Many can be found in swamps or in humid, forested areas, where their larvae have an abundant food source. They are soft-bodied coleoptera related to the families Lycidae, Phengodidae, and Cantharidae, with a worldwide distribution of at least 1900 known species.

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Why do they shine and emit light?

For more than 60 years scientists have been studying the chemicals that make up the Bioluminescence box. But until recently, the chemical reactions that produce the light from fireflies were a mystery, and for scientists like Bruce Branchini of Connecticut College, nothing is more exciting than a good mystery.

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Fireflies store in their box enzymes and proteins that transform chemical energy into light, but relatively recently scientists discovered an additional oxygen electron that is responsible for the glow,

The finding, recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, makes the most detailed description yet of the chemical process involved in the bioluminescence of the firefly.

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One of the goals of the glow of fireflies is that it serves as a sexual and warning tool.
A new study confirms these insects use light as a warning to predators
The bioluminescence of fireflies would serve to warn bats of their bitter taste.

According to the researchers, the fact that fireflies use their bioluminescence as a signal to warn predators should not come as much of a surprise. This strategy is well known in the animal world, as in the case of the dart frog or the sea slug, species that use their bright colors and body odor to alert their environment. In the case of fireflies, researchers have discovered that these insects would send multisensory warnings to their potential predators to avoid being hunted.

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In this sense, the brightness of fireflies could be understood as a characteristic that benefits both insects and their predators. These flashes of light would serve as a warning to bats that the chemicals that produce the characteristic glow would be bitter to the palate of these mammals. A trait that, in turn, would be supported by the vomit suffered by bats once ingested a bioluminescent firefly.

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It is now easier to understand why fireflies can shine, although scientists will certainly have to continue studying because only some species have developed this natural sensory tool, very striking, by the way.

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