Photinus and kin
Fireflies
Beetle lanterns use D-luciferin, luciferase, oxygen, magnesium, and ATP. That last ingredient is why a firefly extract can be used to measure energy in living cells: if ATP is present, the sample glows. Flash patterns are a language. Some predatory fireflies learn another species’ reply and hunt by impersonation.
- Habitat
- Temperate forests, night
- Colour
- Yellow–green
- The trick
- Courtship codes