B Gajendra Babu and M Kannan are PhD Scholars in the Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore..

Bioluminescence is the phenomenon of light emission by living organisms. This is well exhibited in many insects, and best understood in fireflies. Bioluminescence is the result of chemical reactions primarily involving luciferin, luciferase and oxygen. Luciferin is a heat-resistant substrate and the source of light; luciferase, an enzyme, is the trigger, and oxygen is the fuel. Luminescing insects utilize light as a mating signal, to attract their prey, or to defend themselves from enemies. This biological phenomenon has been exploited in space and medical research, insect pest management, and is also a useful tool in biotechnology.

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Address for Correspondence
B Gajendra Babu and M Kannan
Department of Agricultural Entomology
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore 641 003, India.