Zoology: Invertebrates

The Columbia Encyclopedia,... World Encyclopedia The Oxford Pocket Dictionary... A Dictionary of Zoology Further reading

firefly

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

firefly or lightning bug, small, luminescent, carnivorous beetle of the family Lampyridae. Fireflies are well represented in temperate regions, although the majority of species are tropical and subtropical. They are nocturnal in their behavior, and males commonly fly about in the evening during early summer. In many species the females are wingless.

Males, females, and larvae emit a heatless, greenish-yellow to reddish-orange light; in some species even the eggs glow. The light, which plays a role in mating, is produced by light organs located on the underside of the abdomen. These consist of several layers of small reflector cells and a layer of light-producing cells. The light-producing cells are permeated by nerves and air tubes; oxygen supplied by the air tubes converts the cell product luciferin to oxyluciferin. This oxidation, catalyzed by the enzyme luciferase, releases energy in the form of light. The insect controls the emission of light by regulating the amount of air supplied to the cells. The intensity and frequency of the flashes vary with the species and probably serve to identify males and females to each other. Synchronized flashing is characteristic of some tropical species.

Adult fireflies of many species do not feed. The larvae, which hatch from eggs laid on or in wet soil, feed on snails and earthworms, injecting their prey with a paralyzing fluid. Pupation (see insect ) occurs after one or two years. Both larvae and wingless females are called glowworms. The common European glowworm is the female of the Lampyris noctiluca. Asian glowworms are considered beneficial controllers of crop-damaging snails and slugs. There are other luminescent insects, including members of other beetle families; the most spectacular are found in the click beetle family.

Fireflies are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Coleoptera, family Lampyridae.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"firefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"firefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-firefly.html

"firefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-firefly.html

Learn more about citation styles

firefly

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

firefly Light-emitting beetle found in moist places of temperate and tropical regions. Organs underneath the abdomen usually give off rhythmic flashes of light that are typical of the species. The luminous larvae and wingless females of some species are called glow-worms. Length: to 25mm (1in). There are 1000 species. Family Lampyridae.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"firefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"firefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-firefly.html

"firefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-firefly.html

Learn more about citation styles

firefly

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

fire·fly / ˈfīrˌflī/ • n. (pl. -flies) a soft-bodied beetle (family Lampyridae) related to the glowworm, the winged male and flightless female of which both have luminescent organs. The light is chiefly produced as a signal between the sexes, esp. in flashes.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"firefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"firefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-firefly.html

"firefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-firefly.html

Learn more about citation styles

firefly

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

firefly
1. (Pyrophorus) See ELATERIDAE.

2. See LAMPYRIDAE.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "firefly." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "firefly." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-firefly.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "firefly." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-firefly.html

Learn more about citation styles

firefly

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

firefly •ally, phalli •Adlai • gadfly • blackfly • damselfly •sandfly • barfly • mayfly •Eli, Ely •greenfly • bacilli • multiply • styli •whitefly • wall eye • horsefly •housefly •alveoli, E. coli, gladioli •blowfly • lapis lazuli • reguli • stimuli •flocculi • ranunculi • firefly •discoboli • astragali • dragonfly •alkali • Lorelei • Naphtali • butterfly •hoverfly

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"firefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"firefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-firefly.html

"firefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-firefly.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	firefly populations are fading out.(Front) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 8/31/2008
	Firefly buys Cirix Computer Systems.(THE BUZZ: TIPS, RUMORS AND MISCELLANEOUS... Magazine article from: Wenatchee Business Journal; 8/1/2007
	Why we like fireflies and how we can help them.(Neighbor) Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 8/2/2011