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7 Fun Facts

Fireflies

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There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies.

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Most of the fireflies flying around are males looking for a mate.

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In much of Europe, female fireflies don't actually fly.

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Unlike a light bulb, which produces a lot of heat in addition to light, a firefly's light is cold light, without a lot of energy being lost as heat.

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Many people believe that fireflies don't exist west of the Rockies since flashing populations are rarely seen there, but they do.

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Fireflies contain a chemical in their abdomen called luciferin.

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When a male firefly of a different genus flashes to signal his availability, the female Photuris replies by mimicking his flash pattern.