Common Eastern Firefly (Photinus pyralis) Also called lightning bugs, fireflies are nocturnal beetles that use light displays to attract mates. This species is found throughout all of North America, and can be seen lighting up the sky during warm spring and summer nights. Male Common Eastern fireflies light up in a "J" shape. This earned them a special name: "Big Dipper" fireflies! The green glow that fireflies are famous for comes from bioluminescence, a chemical reaction that takes place inside a light producing organ in their abdomen. Both male and female Common Eastern fireflies glow. Though the organ that creates bioluminescence is inside the firefly's abdomen, their translucent exoskeleton lets the light shine through.
Common Eastern Firefly - Intro to Scientific Illustration Assignment 4
“I’m a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.”
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