How Do Fireflies Produce Their Glow?

💡 The Answer

• Fireflies produce light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence inside their lower abdomen.
• The enzyme luciferase reacts with luciferin, oxygen, and ATP to emit cold light with almost no heat.
• Oxygen is delivered to the reaction chamber via tiny tubes, allowing fireflies to flash on and off.
• Each firefly species has a unique flash pattern used mainly to attract a mate, like a love song in light.