Bioluminescence

Lampyridae (fireflies, lightning bugs) - Photinini tribe.

 

Fireflies began appearing in large numbers over the past week. Under a hazy 1st quarter moon, hundreds were visible in a field behind my home.

 

In lightning bugs, bioluminescence occurs in the abdomen where luciferin is converted to oxyluciferin and light by an enzyme called luciferase. To facilitate catalysis, the enzyme also requires ATP, Mg2+ and Oxygen.

 

7 images combined - Max method -> Affinity Photo

 

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Done