Some insects really put on a show to attract mates. Glow-worms and fireflies are both types of beetle that generate their own light. They are nocturnal and they communicate with each other using a light organ in the base of their abdomen. Each species of American firefly gives out a light signal with its own unique code. The males of each species give out light flashes at a particular frequency, lengths and brightness that only females from the same species can recognise.
Glow-worms produce a greenish-yellow light. Fireflies give out two sorts of light. When they are resting they make green flashes but when they are flying around, they produce an orange light.
The organ in the end of the glow-worms abdomen produces light by putting two chemicals together. They react to form another chemical called luciferin, which gives out a bright light. The 'skin' of the abdomen just in front of the light organ is transparent and forms a lens that allows the light to shine through.
Glow-worms produce a greenish-yellow light. Fireflies give out two sorts of light. When they are resting they make green flashes but when they are flying around, they produce an orange light.
The organ in the end of the glow-worms abdomen produces light by putting two chemicals together. They react to form another chemical called luciferin, which gives out a bright light. The 'skin' of the abdomen just in front of the light organ is transparent and forms a lens that allows the light to shine through.
