… the brightness from city lights disrupts fireflies’ reproduction? Among several functions, fireflies’ ability to shine is used to attract the attention of others from their species and to reproduce. Brightly lit cities confuse them.

… glow because of a chemical reaction? The light from fireflies comes from the lower part of the insect’s abdomen. The glow comes from a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance in their body, called luciferin, comes into contact with oxygen.

… are also called fire beetles? The name is used for other insects that emit their own light, in other words, that have bioluminescence.

… are a type of beetle? In the animal kingdom, fireflies are part of the Coleoptera order, which includes various insects, most of them commonly known as beetles. Ladybugs also belong to this order.

SOURCES: INFOESCOLA, BRASIL ESCOLA, UFV, AND TAPA NACIONAL DE MAFRA.

Ixi! Você bateu no paywall!

Ainda não é assinante? Assine agora e tenha acesso ilimitado ao conteúdo do Joca.

Assinante? Faça Login

Voltar para a home

Ou faça sua assinatura e tenha acesso a todo o conteúdo do Joca

Assine