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The Conversation USA

The Conversation USA

How fireflies glow – and what signals they're sending

  • Written by Clyde Sorenson, Professor of Entomology, North Carolina State University
A firefly's light is part of its mating strategy.Japan's Fireworks/Shutterstock.com

You might not really be sure you saw what you think you saw when the first one shows up. But you stare in the direction of the flicker of light and there it is again – the first firefly of the evening. If you are in good firefly habitat, soon there are dozens,...

Read more: How fireflies glow – and what signals they're sending

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