When oxygen is drawn into the abdomen through a tube called the abdominal trachea, it mixes with luciferin, and the resulting chemical reaction gives off a pale - yellow to reddish - green glow.
Lutsiferiin reageerib hapnikuga, mis jõuab tagakehasse trahheesid mööda, ning selle tagajärjel hakkabki jaanimardikas kiirgama valgust, mille värvus ulatub kahvatukollasest punakasroheliseni.