Glow worms and fireflies are beetles that can emit bright light from their lower abdomens as a result of a chemical reaction. Both beetles are nocturnal, so their light has its maximum effect.
The glow worm's abdomen has the structure similar to that of a car headlamp in that it has a translucent window to allow the light to shine through. This is formed from chitinous skin. Light is reflected and enhanced by a group of cells that are filled with reflective crystals.
The light is produced between the crystals and the skin lens in a mass of cells that have a dense network of tiny tubes. In these tubes, in the presence of oxygen, the enzyme luciferase catalyses a reaction that converts luciferin to another molecule with the release of light energy.
Glow worms produce a greenish yellow light and fireflies tend to flash a green light when resting and produce an orange light during flight.
The glow worm's abdomen has the structure similar to that of a car headlamp in that it has a translucent window to allow the light to shine through. This is formed from chitinous skin. Light is reflected and enhanced by a group of cells that are filled with reflective crystals.
The light is produced between the crystals and the skin lens in a mass of cells that have a dense network of tiny tubes. In these tubes, in the presence of oxygen, the enzyme luciferase catalyses a reaction that converts luciferin to another molecule with the release of light energy.
Glow worms produce a greenish yellow light and fireflies tend to flash a green light when resting and produce an orange light during flight.
