What makes a lightening bug light up?

Question

What makes a lightening bug light up?

Answer 1

a lightning bug or firefly are named for the brilliant light they give out when flying. this comes from the underside of the tip of the abdomen. the light organs of fireflies consist of an area of transparent cuticle under which the light-producing chemical, luciferin, is stored. behind the luciferin is a layer of dense tissue that probably acts as a reflector. the enzyme involved in light production is called luciferase and it speeds the reaction of luciferin with oxygen to produce oxyluciferin, the light being emitted as a by-product. firefly light is produced almost entirely without heat.

Answer 2

bioluminescence

"Light production in fireflies is due to a chemical reaction that occurs in specialized light-emitting organs, usually on the lower abdomen. The enzyme luciferase acts on luciferin in this organ to stimulate light emission."