Green-glowing fungi attract more bugs

Los Angeles Times : Although bioluminescence has been observed in fungi, it is relatively rare. Among the some 100 000 known fungal species, just 71 have the ability to glow like fireflies. Rather than constantly emitting green light, however, at least one species—Neonothopanus gardneri—appears to be regulated by the circadian clock, according to a recent study published in Current Biology. N. gardneri glows brilliantly at night and shuts off during the day. The reason may have to do with the attraction of insects, which could help spread the fungi’s spores in the dense Brazilian coconut forests where they grow. The researchers tested their theory through the use of prosthetic, acrylic-resin, mushroom-shaped objects artificially illuminated with green LEDs. The fake mushrooms attracted many more beetles, ants, and other insects than did the dark control traps.