It is reported that in the world, there is another insect that is facing the danger of extinction, it is the firefly.
The huge family of fireflies accounts for about 50% of the world's biological species. That is to say, there are currently about 10 million species of insects in the world, and the firefly family accounts for half of the country.
So, how many insect species are there in China? According to relevant information, as of March 18, 2003, the number of insect species recorded in China is 79.313 species, which accounts for about 1/10 of the world's insect species, including 14.713 species in Taiwan and 6.134 species in Hong Kong.
Fireflies, in the homeland of mankind, have always had a beautiful meaning and a cute symbol. It is a never-replaceable elf in a child's fairy tale world. It illuminates the darkness, brings hope, brings joy, and it accompanies the growth of children from generation to generation.
Today, however, it is disappearing; it is becoming extinct; it is disappearing forever and forever from the earth on which it has lived for 15,000 years.
Isn't that sad, isn't it scary?
<h1>How much do you know about fireflies? </h1>
Firefly, fireflies belong to the order Coleoptera in the large family of insects. Aliases are also called: flowing fireflies, sedum, luminous, supper candles, night illumination and so on.
There are four common fireflies in China. Both: large-ended black fireflies, yellow-breasted black-winged fireflies, yellow-edged fireflies, mountain window fireflies.
Classification of fireflies: If classified according to the survival habits of fireflies, they can be divided into three categories: aquatic fireflies, semi-aquatic fireflies and terrestrial fireflies.
The first category is aquatic fireflies: aquatic fireflies mainly refer to the larvae of fireflies, most of which live in muddy rice paddies or next to clean, clear mountain streams. Fireflies that like to survive in this environment are also yellow-breasted black-winged ying, yellow margin ying and striped back ying.
The second category is the semi-aquatic fireflies: semi-aquatic fireflies mainly refer to the larvae of fireflies inhabiting moist barges or rock walls flowing through clear streams. It has been observed that only the larvae of the red-winged fireflies have this habit of survival, perhaps this humidity and environment are more suitable for the survival and reproduction of red-winged fireflies. In addition, the larvae of the red-winged ying also prefer to live in groups, reaching hundreds or more in groups at most.
The third group is terrestrial fireflies: terrestrial fireflies prefer to inhabit valleys with autumn leaves or dense grasses in cooler environments and slightly moist ground. There are also some who prefer to live on open meadows. The main ones are: Wen Ying, Pseudo-Pattern Ying, Taiwan Window Firefly, Red-breasted Black-winged Firefly, Orange Firefly and Soder's Vein Wing Firefly, etc.
<h1>How much do you know about fireflies' courtship anecdotes? </h1>
The courtship process of humans is carried out through language, while the courtship process of animals is carried out through mutual hissing and behavior. So, what about fireflies courtship? The courtship signal of fireflies - light. Moreover, the brightness, frequency, way and color of different varieties of fireflies are also very different, which may be the mystery of fireflies.
Finding a Mate: The light of a firefly is a signal from male and female to each other when courtship. Usually, after the male fireflies are feathered, they are flying in the air while constantly attracting female fireflies with light, and while completing these two tasks, they also need to carefully look for female fireflies that are glowing but cannot fly.
Duel for Love: If the male firefly finds the female firefly figure, he will immediately win the favor and favor of the female firefly by fluorescing it, and at the same time quickly fly to the female firefly's side. If there may be other fireflies to pursue the favor of female fireflies at this time, then the male fireflies will solve this complex courtship relationship in a fair way. What kind of solution is it? That's between these male fireflies, there's a glowing exhibition game. Look at who shines, who is the winner.
Magical tailing: Male and female fireflies do not have a time limit on their tails, ranging from ten minutes to hours. Most notably, male and female fireflies complete their respective missions after the completion of the tail crossing. Male fireflies will die within one to two days, while female fireflies will find a suitable environment and bed to lay their eggs. For example, stone crevices in valleys or wet earth crevices. However, the life of female fireflies also ends in the days after spawning.
Larvae birth: Female fireflies can lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime, but female fireflies do not lay them together, but instead plant these eggs in five or six different places, and female fireflies do this mainly for the safety of laying eggs. Female fireflies have just laid their eggs with soft shells that don't harden until about a week later. After two weeks, the development of the larvae inside the shell can be seen from the outside of the egg shell. After about three weeks, the eggs of the fireflies can be seen hatching, and the process of hatching the larvae generally takes place at midnight, and the larvae will bite the eggs out with their palates, and the whole incubation process is about 30 minutes.
Pupae: After hatching, the larva becomes a pupa after a few days of life, and after a period of metamorphosis, the pupa most becomes the larva of the firefly. Although the larvae of the firefly are small, their guts are very large, how big is it? It was big enough to compete with a snail until the whole snail was eaten.
Larval food: One thing that may come to your mind is that fireflies' larvae grow up by eating meat. This phenomenon occurs not only in terrestrial fireflies, but also in the larvae of aquatic fireflies. Terrestrial fireflies eat small snails, while aquatic fireflies eat snails, small fish, tadpoles and so on.
Once the larvae of the fireflies metamorphose into adults, they do not eat or drink for almost the whole day, at most eating some dew and nectar every day, and finally starving themselves to death. However, there are also a very small number of fireflies that will prey on some small insects to survive, which may be the survival law of insects in nature!
<h1>What do fireflies rely on to emit light? </h1>
The reason why fireflies are cute and can become elves in children's fairy tale worlds is because it can shine and bring children a brilliant reverie like a starry night.
Why fireflies emit light: In fact, the abdomen and end of fireflies are filled with phosphorus-containing luminescent matter and luminescent enzymes. This substance is like a glowstick waved in the hands of the audience in a concert. As a result, these phosphorus-containing luminous substances and luminescent enzymes emit a faint flash of light in the abdomen of the fireflies. There are three most common fireflies in three light colors, yellow, red, and green.
According to the anatomical study of the firefly light emitter, it was found that the main substance in the firefly light-emitting cells is composed of fluorescein and luciferase. Male fireflies have two glowing segments on their abdomen, while females have only 1 segment. The glow of fireflies generally lasts only 2 to 3 hours, and does not shine all night. Because, the glow of fireflies is undoubtedly a huge physical energy-consuming activity.
In addition, the lifespan of fireflies after adults is generally only one week or two weeks. In just a dozen days, the firefly put its main task on breeding the next generation.
<h1>What is the relationship between fireflies and nature? </h1>
The relationship between the natural and biological worlds is to maintain a balance between each other, and the result of this balance is to maintain the basic laws of survival of each species.
Today, when we understand the species of fireflies and their reproduction and growth laws, we analyze its relationship with the natural world, which is very important for us to better protect this species. According to the data, fireflies are insects at the bottom of the "pyramid" of the biological chain, and fireflies are used to trap weak organisms such as snails, slugs and turnip snails to inhibit the growth of harmful plants. However, while capturing other organisms, they are often preyed upon by other animals, which is the law of survival in the biological chain.
It can be seen from this that the firefly is a "barometer" of ecological balance, because of its sensitivity to the environment in which it is located, in a sense, how many of them survive? It is the performance of the local environment.
<h1>Why are fireflies extinct? </h1>
This is definitely a serious problem! Because fireflies have been on Earth for 15,000 years, but they are going to become extinct before our generation. What does this mean?
Researchers at Tufts University and the International Union for Conservation of Nature have the answer to this question: Fireflies now face three major threats. Both: habitat loss, widespread use of pesticides and light pollution.
1, the loss of firefly habitat: firefly habitat is to ensure the healthy reproduction of fireflies "life and death", if it appears to be lost, it is the biggest threat to the survival of fireflies population. The theme is manifested in the occupation of a large amount of arable land in the countryside to build buildings and pavilions, the abolition of some reservoirs and ponds to build factories, etc. In addition, there are alien species that have forced the habitat of fireflies to be severely damaged.
2, widespread and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides: Some rural areas now use chemical fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities in order to pursue the quantity of food, which is a fatal threat to the survival of fireflies. In fact, the vitality of fireflies is not as strong as we think, and their requirements for the living environment are relatively high. If there were pesticides everywhere; pollution everywhere, hunting everywhere, would they still survive? Definitely not.
3, pollution caused by artificial light: fireflies emit light for courtship and reproduction, not to covet the brightness of the environment. The glowing behavior of fireflies' larvae is considered to be their own safety warning or to deter predators. However, more and more and brighter artificial lights disrupt the living habits and reproductive conditions of fireflies, causing the fertility of fireflies to decline rapidly and even cause infertility. Experts estimate that 23% of the world's land areas have a large amount of artificial light at night, which is a fatal threat to the breeding of fireflies.
Looking directly at the consequences: The serious consequences of the extinction of fireflies have been highlighted in some areas, and this prominence is already irreversible, which is by no means the lizard brother who is alarmist. If we are not protecting the environment well and cherishing the biological population that accompanies us day and night, are we still far from extinction?
The source of this article comes from the network, and I would like to express my deep gratitude.