What else will we learn from the firefly genome?

 

We're excited about this project for so many reasons! Not only will it provide new insight into how fireflies first gained their remarkable light-producing talent, but we're excited to learn more about fireflies' potent defensive strategies.

Considerable scientific evidence suggests that firefly bioluminescence first evolved in larvae (just like those pictured on the left above). In many modern fireflies, adults now use their lights for courting. But these juveniles are too young to be looking for love!

Instead, fireflies' glow quite likely originated to help them ward off potential predators. Many fireflies contain noxious chemicals; while other poisonous creatures advertise with bright coloration, firefly larvae are active mainly at night or underground. So their glow is a warning that's effective even in the dark, blazing out the message - " I'm toxic, stay away!"