π¦Insects
Fireflies Produce 'Cold Light' Through Bioluminescence
Fireflies create light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which is nearly 100% efficient and produces no heat.
About this fact
The light produced by fireflies is a form of 'cold light' because almost none of the energy is wasted as heat. The reaction involves a substance called luciferin, the enzyme luciferase, oxygen, and ATP. This bioluminescence is used for attracting mates and, in some species, luring prey. Different firefly species have unique flashing patterns, which helps them identify partners of their own kind.