The Lantern of the Photuris Firefly
THE lantern, or light organ, of a particular Photuris firefly, is covered with jagged scales that dramatically enhance the brightness of the light that the insect produces. (Scientists have not studied all species of this firefly.
Consider: Researchers have found that tiny scales on the lantern surface of some fireflies form a corrugated pattern, somewhat like overlapping shingles or tiles. The scales tilt up at one end by just 3 micrometers
Could that concept improve the efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are used in electronic devices? To find out, scientists coated LEDs with a corrugated surface similar to that of the firefly’s lantern. The result? The LEDs emitted up to 55 percent more light! Physicist Annick Bay says: “The most important aspect of this work is that it shows how much we can learn by carefully observing nature.”
What do you think? Did the lantern of those Photuris fireflies come about by evolution? Or was it designed?
(Awake February 2014)