Fireflea

The is a small organism native to the planet Zebes.
==Description==
Found in Brinstar and Ridley's Hideout, these creatures possess a highly bioluminescent abdomen which produces a fluctuating stream of light that easily illuminates the dark rooms they live in. Firefleas are also seen traveling in swarms, making for a completely lighted area.
The Firefleas will cause damage on contact, however, due to their extreme fragility, touching them will also kill them. This property makes the areas they inhabit quite problematic, as they are the only source of light in these dark rooms that usually feature hazards such as spikes, requiring Samus to advance while avoiding the inconveniently placed Firefleas. Killing them will result in a decrease of the visible light in a room, becoming darker with each one extinguished and making it harder to see the danger nearby.
==Official data==
===Super Metroid manual===
;FIREFLEA
:"These enemies emit light. If you blast them, the surrounding area will become darker."
===Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide===
FIREFLEA
===Super Metroid Players' Guide===
"Easy to kill but this isn't a good idea as these small flying creatures are often your only light source. When possible try to freeze them with an ice beam."
==Development notes==
In Metroid Prime, a similar species known as the Plazmite inhabit Tallon IV and serve the same purpose of lighting up dark rooms. Although different physiologically and less fragile, these Plazmites were originally called Firefleas in early versions of the game, before development shifted to replace classic enemies (such as Magdollites, Metarees, and Rippers) with new original enemies (such as Magmoors, Shriekbats, and Gliders). The Fireflea's scan data notably referred to them as native to Tallon IV, suggesting that they were an invasive species on Zebes.
==Trivia==
*Firefleas will not take damage from the Grapple Beam, but are vulnerable to all other weapons.
*The Glow Fly of SR388 is another creature with a bioluminescent ability, although this does not affect gameplay.
*The Iceflea's internal name is evocative of the Fireflea. However, the two species otherwise do not resemble one another in appearance or behavior.
==Gallery==
SM Fireflea Energy Tank.png|A room in Ridley's Hideout illuminated by Firefleas
SM Norfair Energy Tank 3.gif|The same room when all the Firefleas have been killed
Metroidscans_103102_23-461829.jpg|Fireflea scan in an early build of Metroid Prime.
IGN Unplugged Issue 15 2002-08 IGN.com US 0007.jpg|IGN Unplugged issue #15, which mentions Firefleas in Prime.
ja:ホタリー
Category:Unused Bosses and Species
Category:Frigate Orpheon
Category:Species
Category:Zebes
Category:Brinstar
Category:Ridley's Lair
Category:Bioluminescent
Category:Tallon IV