Lightning Bugs Needed Again by Scientists-Price has Jumped

[Champ]

Calling all lightning bug collectors! Scientists are calling for help. And the price is going up!

This year the price for fireflies has jumped to the all-time high of 35-cents per gram or $10 per ounce for a fresh supply of insects. The price in the summer of 2003 was 33-cents per gram or $9.50 per ounce.
Buying the bugs this year are the researchers at Analytical Luminescence Lab in Baltimore, Maryland. The insects will be used in food safety testing to detect contamination of bacteria in food. With outbreaks of e-coli in food, there is a greater public concern for quick, accurate detection of bacteria.
The insects are used also as a detection tool in very important research in molecular biology. Using firefly materials as markers, scientists are attempting genetic research to find potentially revolutionary treatments for such presently incurable diseases as Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
Local collectors will get to help science by catching fresh supplies of fireflies at 35-cents gm. or $10 an ounce. This is approximately $1.40 per 100 (approximately, because the insects are purchased by weight, not the count.)
For information or questions, write to: Firefly Project, c/o 122 Emory Ln., Oak Ridge, Tenn., 37830 or call 1-888-520-1272 or e-mail [email protected]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1614&dept_id=515375&newsid=11832086&PAG=461&rfi=9

[LosinIt]

1. dumb question, do they have to be alive

and if so how would you weigh them? I assume they only want them for the luminescent chemicals in their cute little behinds.

[BlondieK143]

2. HOLY SHIT!

That's like 10 minutes away from where I live.

[Champ]

3. Really?

I didn't know, how strange. :)

[BlondieK143]

4. No kidding!

Hmm.

[salvorhardin]

5. Umm...

Why aren't the scientists breeding fireflies? I mean, they can't eat very much and being that they're insects I suspect they reproduce pretty fast.

[Servo300]

6. maybe they don't breed well in captivity......

[Beaker]

7. a better use for a jar full of fireflies-

take it to the multiplex movie theatre, sit in a secluded spot, open the jar- set it on the floor, then move to the theatre that's showing the movie you want to see...or stay and enjoy the show. you can get wa-a-a-a-y more than $1.40 worth of fun with 100 fireflies.