They use bioluminescence produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies.
The insects take in oxygen and combine it with luciferin to produce light with almost no heat.
Luciferin chemical found in, fireflies, glowworms, or lightning bugs.
Lampyridae family, beetle, Coleoptera.
chemically produced light, from lower abdomen light organs, may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers.
They are found around wet or damp areas that retain moisture.
When oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the chemical luciferin in the presence of luciferase, a bioluminescent enzyme, light is produced.
Insects do not have lungs. They transport oxygen through tubes known as tracheoles.
Nitric oxide gas (the same gas that is produced by taking the drug Viagra)
plays a critical role.
Oxygen bound to organelles, called the mitrochondria, and is transported further.
Luciferin pass the blood brain barrier, placenta barrier and testis
barrier, toxicity appears low.
Chemical formula: C11 H8 N2 O3 S2
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