![]() Every so often, lucky Marylanders are treated to an ocean glow show as these simple, beautiful creatures produce light in the waves. Plant host plants to support monarchs and other local pollinators, and make sure to leave some dead material for fall!Īquatic Creatures: Dinoflagellates and some species of jellyfish are just a few of the ocean creatures that exhibit bioluminescence. Firefly populations are declining due to development and light pollution you can help by turning off outdoor lights at night! With a more subtle biofluorescence, King’s hairstreak caterpillars (an endangered species in Maryland) and monarch butterfly caterpillars both display stunning brightness under UV light. Patterns of light flashing help this insect communicate with potential mates, and may even warn predators of their distastefulness. Insects: Numerous species of bioluminescent firefly (not a fly, but a beetle!) light up Maryland’s summer nights, using an organ in their abdomen to combine oxygen and luciferin to produce a heatless light. Greenbelt Park Fireflies by Jeffrey Walters Here are a few of Maryland’s luminous living things, and some ideas for how to protect them. The most famous animal examples of this are likely Australia’s platypus and wombat, numerous tropical bird species, and desert scorpions.Įxotic locales don’t get to have all the fun when it comes to glowing creatures! Extended nighttime hours mean extra opportunities to get outside and search for bioluminescence and fluorescence in your own yards and communities. Often, this light is emitted in a spectrum we can’t see, so it requires the use of special lighting or filters to see. Bioluminescence is a biochemical process of emitting light used by living organisms think of algae, glow worms, and fireflies! Biofluorescence, on the other hand, is the absorption and re-emitting of light from the sun. ![]() ![]() Plenty of living things have unique ways to glow in the dark!īioluminescence and biofluorescence are two phenomena that many people may never notice, with an ecological purpose that fascinates and still occasionally mystifies scientists. In this spookiest of seasons, I like to focus on ways to appreciate the nighttime and the bits of unexpected light hidden in the natural world. King’s hairstreak biofluorescence by Jen SelfridgeĪs winter approaches, many of us dread the shortening hours of daylight and increasing darkness. ![]()
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