Firefly


 * This article is about the creature in the Northern Air Temple. For the creature in the swamp, see Glow fly. For the creature in the Spirit World, see Spirit World firefly.

Fireflies are flying insects that live in the Northern Air Temple. It is unknown if they also inhabit other Air Nomad Temples or nations. These creatures are used as a non-flammable light source. They were seen when the Mechanist led Sokka to the gas room through a dark corridor in the temple.

Anatomy
Fireflies are characterized by a pair of slender, jointed antennae, forewings or elytron and a narrow prothorax. They have a mechanism of bioluminescence that likely works by emitting a light from the abdomen. The color of this light is similar to a light green or light blue.

Connection
The fireflies seen in the temple most resemble the subfamily of Lampyrinae, luminescent nocturnal fireflies.

The ancient Chinese sometimes captured fireflies with the purpose of lighting. It was also a widespread practice in ancient India. However, since these were short term solutions, the use of other objects was more prevalent.

Place in the World of Avatar
A group of these insects are captured in a transparent container and used as lanterns. The Mechanist is likely the creator of this device due to his use of a non-flammable light source because of the proximity of a chamber with a potential to have a gas leak.

Trivia

 * In addition to the hermit crab, the firefly is probably another species that survived the genocide and remained in the temple since then.