Go, Grow, Glow - the Inheritance of Light

The objects that emit light by themselves or are sources of light are called luminous objects, such as the sun, stars and a burning candle. In addition, some creatures that glow by themselves are called bioluminescence, such as bacteria, fungi, and jellyfish. However, bioluminescence is relatively rare on land. Do you have any ideas? That’s firefly! In this Instructable, we are going to learn about the life cycle and the physical characteristics of fireflies by making crafts – your first set of firefly lampshades!

Supplies

1 LED Push Light Lamp
shredded tissue paper (green and black; squared around 3cm long)
1 craft paper (brown)
2 plastic bottle caps (can be replaced by craft paper)
3 plastic cups (compostable)
1 paper cup
1 white glue
1 string / yard (around 10-15cm long)
a pair of scissors
a pencil and ruler

Step 1: Making an Eggs Lampshade

Stage 1: Egg

The life cycle of fireflies has four stages, which are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The new life of firefly begins with an egg. Males and females go to specific places to lay their eggs after mating, but generally they prefer to lay eggs in wetter and hidden places, such as hiding under soil, fallen leaves or branches. Depending on the species, they can lay dozens to more than a hundred eggs. The diameter of the eggs varies from 0.5mm to 2.0mm. Also, firefly eggs can glow, which is believed to be a warning message to avoid predation.

Making an Eggs Lampshade

Glue the black tissue paper on the plastic cup. Near the bottom of the cup, leave about a quarter of the space on the cup.
Roll the green tissue paper into small balls, glue the green balls on the bottom of the cup and the remaining space.
Cut out a leaf from the brown craft paper and glue it on top of the green ball.
Last, put the cup on the lamp.

Step 2: Making a Larva Lampshade

Stage 2: Larve

In this stage, larvae continuously absorb nutrients and grow. They prey on insects such as snails, earthworms and slugs. Their colours are generally similar to the habitat, such as brown, black, and yellow. They have a stiffer shell, but as they grow, they take off the old shell every once in a while, and replace it with a new, larger shell. This process is called moulting. Also, larvae have light organs and they can glow too!

Making a Larva Lampshade

Cut a rectangle about 15cm x 3cm in size from the brown craft paper.
Follow the steps A-D shown in the picture, fold in the dotted lines and make a larva’s body.
Roll the green and black tissue paper into small balls. Make one green and about six black paper balls.
Glue the green ball at one end of the brown paper (larva's tail). It is used to pretend the light organ of larva.
Glue the black balls near the green ball and make a line. It is used to pretend the body of larva.
Glue the larva on the paper cup.
Last, put the cup on the lamp.

Step 3: Making a Pupa Lampshade

Stage 3: Pupa

In this stage, larvae will become pupal. Larvae will find suitable places to pupate, and some species will burrow into the mud to create a pupal chamber. They are contained in and protected by a hard covering called a cocoon. For some species, the pupal takes about 10 days to emerge as an adult. Also, pupal have light organs and they can glow too!

Making a Pupa Lampshade

Follow the previous section steps 1 to 5 to making a larva.
Stick the two ends of larva together with glue to make a pupa.
Stick a string to the back of the larva with tape.
Make a small hole in the bottom centre of the cup. Thread the string through the small hole, tie a knot and hang the pupa inside the cup.
Glue the green tissue paper on the bottom of the cup and the black tissue paper on the cup. Also, make space on the cup so that the pupa can be seen through the cup.
The black tissue paper is used to pretend the mud and the green tissue paper is used to pretend the light leaking from the pupal chamber.
Last, put the cup on the lamp.

Step 4: Making a Firefly Lampshade

Stage 4: Adult

Adults are the final stage of life. Pupal will become adults. Depending on the species, some fireflies glow continuously and some glow/flash at a unique frequency. In this stage, they will mate and lay eggs. However, their lifespan is usually short, ranging from a few days to more than ten days.

Fireflies have a pair of compound eyes. They have a pair of antennae to detect chemical signals. And there are different kinds of antennae, such as filiform, serrate and unipectinate. They have 3 pairs of legs and a pair of wings. However, some female species only have reduced wings or no wings.

Making a Firefly Lampshade

Glue the black tissue on the cup, covering about one-third of the cup.
Glue the green tissue on the cup, covering the rest of the cup and the bottom.
Cut out a pair of wings from the brown craft paper and glue it on the black tissue paper.
Twist the black tissue paper to make a pair of antennae and then glue it on the wings.
Glue the black tissue paper on the plastic bottle caps to make a pair of eyes and then glue it on the wings.
Last, put the cup on the lamp.

Step 5: Share Your Own Fireflies

Congratulation! You've learnt the the life cycle and the physical characteristics of fireflies! Let's share it with friends and learn more about fireflies. Have fun!