Bioluminescence is a natural Chemiluminescence that some animals are able to produce. Bioluminescence is the reaction between the pigment luciferin, the enzyme luciferase, and oxygen. The luciferin reacts with the oxygen to create light, and the luciferase speeds up the reaction (it is a catalyst). This reaction can occur either inside or outside the cell. It is a “cold light” because it doesn’t release a large amount of heat (only around twenty percent) in the chemical reaction that causes it.
Because the insect is using bioluminescence to produce light on its body there should be no way it can combust. Because such a small amount of kinetic energy is supposed to be released in bioluminescence it is strange that the bug is hot to the touch. It is not releasing the correct amount of heat and is wasting its energy on it. However, even though it is releasing too much kinetic energy it is still not hot enough to combust. When something undergoes combustion it reaches a high enough temperature that it is burned. Because bioluminescence releases such a small amount of kinetic energy the insect won’t reach a high enough temperature to actually start burning. In order for something to burn it also needs a significant amount of oxygen to fuel it. Our atmosphere only has twenty one percent oxygen so it is not enough to react and fuel the reaction that is needed for combustion.
"Bioluminescence." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.
"Combustion." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.
"HowStuffWorks "How Bioluminescence Works"" HowStuffWorks "Science" Web. 31 Oct. 2011.
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