Purkinje effect and bioluminescence of fireflies

摘要

Observations on numerous specimens of fireflies have established the fact that the emitted light is not what is actually perceived by the naked eye. We have analysed the spectra of fireflies, and observed that those belonging to the species Luciola praeusta Kiesenwetter 1874 (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) emit a substantial part of the radiation in the red sector of the spectrum. Here we show that the red sector is not visible to the naked eye because of the Purkinje effect, which is related to the biochemistry of the rods and cones. Interference patterns produced by the light of the firefly have also been presented.