"Nature's Tiny Lanterns: The Magic of Fireflies"

 Fireflies are like magic bugs. They can make their own light, just like tiny, living lanterns. These little bugs are exceptional and fun to watch, especially on warm summer nights. Fireflies are actually beetles, not flies. They are small, usually the size of a paperclip. Their bodies can be black or brown, and some have yellow or orange marks. The coolest thing about fireflies is their light. This light is called bioluminescence. Fireflies have special chemicals in their bodies called luciferin and luciferase. When these chemicals mix with oxygen, they make light. This light is cool, not hot like a light bulb, so you can hold a firefly without getting burned. Fireflies use their light to talk to each other. Each kind of firefly has its own way of flashing. Some flash slowly, and some flash quickly. A male firefly flashes his light to attract a female firefly. If the female likes his flashing pattern, she will flash back. It’s like a secret light code. Fireflies also use their lig...