What is the main characteristic of a lampyrid insect?

Lampyrid insects - the Lampyridae - are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. It is a form of chemiluminescence. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms including some bioluminescent bacteria and terrestrial invertebrates such as fireflies and glow-worms. In some animals, the light is produced by symbiotic organisms such as Vibrio bacteria.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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10 Comments

George Oliver Prince

used to catch lightning bugs in jars as a kid

SeasonedAngel

Love sitting out on my porch swing watching the magical dance of fireflies in the meadow! ;-)

earlepg

Used "lampy-" as a clue. I've read about these lightning bugs so often that I feel cheated that I grew up without having them around.

Edie Koller

I remember catching fireflies when I was a kid back in the early 1950's in Northeastern Ohio.

deborahpmercer

I guessed from "lamp" but somehow suspect there was no connection and I got lucky!

Richard G Schwartz

Very interesting

Rashi Rosenzweig

Hint in the word LAMPryd.

Sandy

My grandson likes to catch them. My nieces were evil, they would 'pop' the lightning bugs buts and rub their faces with it so that they would glow in the dark.