Re: Fireflies

> I have always been fascinated with fireflies although I have never seen one.
> I don't think there are west of the rockies. (I guess the lights are
> brighter on the other side of the .....) What do these insects do besides
> flash?  Are they harmful? beneficial?  or just there.

They're pretty much just there, although during the two years before
their emergence as luminescent lovestruck beetles they live as larvae
in the soil.

Here's an article about them and the recent discovery that NO is the
molecule responsible for their ability to flash:

   http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1412000/1412104.stm

Chris

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index