Life of a Firefly!
Until 5 years ago, I have not see much of the fireflies. I have not seen much thereafter as well. It was a short period where I had seen 1000s of them moving slowly, rhythmically at IIT Madras. It felt like a magical world. Those shiny little creatures with 'fire' in their belly. Oh boy! They were a joy to behold.
It got me into reading more about them.
> A firefly, also known as lightning bug, has a short life during which time its only aim is to mate and procreate. The average lifespan of fireflies is around 2 months. On the other hand, firefly larva live for about one year, before it turns into an adult and mates.
>Fireflies talk to each other with light
They mainly use their flashing light to attract males, but the light is also a means of communication. Usually, it is the males that fly flashing their light, while the females sit in trees, grasses and shrubs waiting. If the female finds a male she likes, she starts flashing her light to attract him. Each species has its own particular pattern of flashing.
> Fireflies produce “cold light”
The light is the most efficient light in the world. Nearly 100% of the energy in the chemical reaction is emitted as light. Compare that to an incandescent bulb, which emits 10% of its energy as light and the rest as heat, or a fluorescent bulb, which emits 90% of its energy as light. Because it produces no heat, scientists refer to firefly lights as “cold lights.”
> Fireflies don't make tasty prey
When attacked, fireflies shed drops of blood in a process known as “reflex bleeding.” The blood contains chemicals that taste bitter and can be poisonous to some animals.
A very interesting beetle, I must say. Very distinct in approach. Even though it lives a very short life (3 months), it lives a life of luminescence, finds its girl, has fun, dies honorably only to be reborn again in multitudes. It has lived a life worth remembering.
Just got reminded of Fireflies & no better way than to express it.
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| A world of its own! |
> A firefly, also known as lightning bug, has a short life during which time its only aim is to mate and procreate. The average lifespan of fireflies is around 2 months. On the other hand, firefly larva live for about one year, before it turns into an adult and mates.
>Fireflies talk to each other with light
They mainly use their flashing light to attract males, but the light is also a means of communication. Usually, it is the males that fly flashing their light, while the females sit in trees, grasses and shrubs waiting. If the female finds a male she likes, she starts flashing her light to attract him. Each species has its own particular pattern of flashing.
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| You die only to be reborn |
The light is the most efficient light in the world. Nearly 100% of the energy in the chemical reaction is emitted as light. Compare that to an incandescent bulb, which emits 10% of its energy as light and the rest as heat, or a fluorescent bulb, which emits 90% of its energy as light. Because it produces no heat, scientists refer to firefly lights as “cold lights.”
> Fireflies don't make tasty prey
When attacked, fireflies shed drops of blood in a process known as “reflex bleeding.” The blood contains chemicals that taste bitter and can be poisonous to some animals.
A very interesting beetle, I must say. Very distinct in approach. Even though it lives a very short life (3 months), it lives a life of luminescence, finds its girl, has fun, dies honorably only to be reborn again in multitudes. It has lived a life worth remembering.
Just got reminded of Fireflies & no better way than to express it.
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