Illuminating Findings - firefly research - Brief Article

National Wildlife, Oct-Nov, 2001

The flickering lights of fireflies have charmed children for centuries. They have also puzzled researchers, who wondered how the creatures pulse their love lights so precisely. A group of Boston scientists recently solved this mystery. They found that fireflies produce nitric oxide, a gas also found in the human body.

The gas turns off energy- producing structures in the creature's abdominal lantern cells, prompting a flash, then quickly dissipates. "Amazingly," says researcher Barry Trimmer, "it's a temporary cut in the power supply that probably triggers the firefly flash."