Wildlife
Bioluminescence is light created by living organisms and and it can create the most fantastic displays. It includes 'phosphorescence' created by marine creatures and seen on the surface of the sea at night, the light of fireflies and the faint but eerie glow of some fungi. The light is produced chemically for many different reasons: to attract attention, to frighten enemies, to disguise what you really are, or - in the depths of the sea - to provide your own 'headlights' to search out prey.
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Chimpanzee fire
The dark forests of west and central Africa glow at night due to a fungus.
The dark forests of west and central Africa glow at night due to a fungus known locally as "chimpanzee fire".
Bug-lights, Camera, Action!
Take-off procedure of glowing headlamp beetles amuses bug expert Dr George McGavin.
Headlamp beetles are part of the click beetle family but they are click beetles with a difference - two spots on their body that glow in the dark like car headlights! The two glowing spots on the back of their body occur due to enzymes that create light - something known as bioluminescence. Scientists think they use these lights to attract a mate. However, the enzymes also produce an orange light on the underside of their body that glows as they prepare to take off, much to the amusement of insect expert Dr George McGavin.
Light fantastic
Glowworms light up the roof in Waitomo's caves, luring their prey to a sticky end.
The glowworm caves of New Zealand are an incredible sight! There are very few insect spectacles on this scale in the world, but this is definitely one of them, and it's something I would love to see before I die.' (George McGavin)
Light lures
Bioluminescence creates pyrotechnic displays deep in the ocean's darkness.
Bioluminescence creates pyrotechnic displays deep in the ocean's darkness. Shots courtesy of WHOI
Tricks of light
Shedding bioluminescent light on the situation can work as defence.
Shedding bioluminescent light on the situation can work as defence.
Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms and terrestrial invertebrates. Some Symbiotic organisms carried within larger organisms produce light.
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Other Communication and senses behaviours
Habitats where this adaptation is useful
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George's marvellous minibeasts
A video collection featuring bugs and insects in amazing close up selected by insect expert and TV presenter George McGavin, with Goliath spiders, killer centipedes, ants and moths.
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Anglerfish
Common glow-worm