Kids and kids at heart (like me!) can't seem to resist running around the backyard during summer nights catching fireflies, or lightning bugs. But what causes their magical glow? And why do they flash? It's time to get "enlightened" by these twinkly little bugs!

IT'S ALL THE NAME!

While the word "fly" is in their name, fireflies aren't even flies at all -- they are actually beetles. Fireflies, the more commonly used name of these nocturnal, winged insects, come from the Greek word "lampein" which, coincidentally, means "to shine!" 

FLASHING EVERYONE IS OKAY....WHEN YOU'RE A FIREFLY!

Fireflies flashes are purposeful. Each blinking pattern helps them find potential mates. Typically, the females sit on the ground and watch the males flash patterns. Some males flash once; other will flash up to 9 times. When a female sees a light display she's impressed with, she'll flash once in a manner that's timed to follow the male's flash pattern.  

ENERGY EFFICIENT -- ONE FLASH AT A TIME!

The light organs that help many fireflies glow, (Fun Fact: Not all of the 2,000 species have the ability to glow.) is located beneath their abdomens. Not to get too scientific here but when oxygen mixes with a special pigment called luciferin, a chemical reaction occurs that generates light with very little heat. Nearly 100% of this chemical reaction's energy becomes light making them the most efficient light in the world.