Fireflies

[CuriousJohn]

I was just wondering, what's the deal with fireflies (lightning bugs, whatever you want to call them) and how do their "light organs" work?

John

[samclem]

this (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mfirefly.html) doesn't answer your question but Cecil said it.

[CalMeacham]

Fireflies exude the chemicals Luciferin and the enzyme Luciferase that combine with Adenosine DiPhosphate (ADP) to produce a momentary glow. I learned this, as a kid, from a Hawkman comic book. Who says they aren't educational?

Years later I learned that Luciferin+ Luciferase mixture can be used to make ADP light up. Hook your microscope up to a photocell and ou have a way to measure ADP concentrations. Neat idea.