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Their study will focus on Photurispyralis, a firefly with the ability to produce a greater glow than other species.

"The Japanese researchers are from Olympus company," Botanical Garden Organisation director-general Weerachai Nanakorn said yesterday.

He said the researchers were about to put their proposal to the National Research Council of Thailand. It will include an offer that Thailand can jointly hold the copyright of any products developed from the study findings.

Weerachai said Thailand had a great diversity of fireflies. He estimated the number of species in Thailand at between 70 and 100.

Thailand will host international symposium later this month on

"Diversity and Conservation of Fireflies" to celebrate Her Majesty

Queen Sirikit's 76th birthday. The event, from August 26 to 30,

will be staged at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Chiang Mai.

It was Her Majesty who has suggested that the Botanical Garden

Organisation conduct a study on firefly diversity in Thailand.

More than 150 experts and academics from 17 countries are due to attend the symposium including scientists from the United States, Switzerland and Japan.