IPBio – Biodiversity Research Institute, through the Bioluminescence Program, is participating in another project in partnership with USP – Institute of Chemistry and Esalq. At the end of 2018, we started with bioluminescent beetles, in particular the Phengodidae family, represented by the Railroad Worm.

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These animals have many photophores (organs that emit light) spread throughout their body and in their head. Some species even have the ability to emit green light on the body and red light on their head. Another characteristic of this family is that some species are neotenic, that is, they can reproduce in the larval stage.

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The studies carried out by IPBio, aim to sample the maximum amount of species that occur in the Betary Reserve and PETAR, to look for new species and to better understand their life cycle and ecology. The Institute of Chemistry of USP and Esalq are interested in identifying, characterizing and describing the pheromones that these organisms release, and to be able to understand their potential for application in agribusiness.