catching fireflies - a summer's delight

This lovely article titled Catching Fireflies from Metro Parent caught the attention of one of our crew and I thought I'd share it with you.

Summer nights sparkle thanks to these meadow meanderers - by Jennifer Sullivan

The life of a firefly seems romantic, doesn't it?  From about May through August, these twinkling insects can be seen dancing across the dark summer sky in search of a soul mate.

Fireflies, or lighting bugs as they are sometimes called, aren't really flies; they're actually beetles.

There are many different species of fireflies, many of which are bioluminescent, meaning they have the ability glow.  According to Rochester Hills entomologist Dick Taylor, fireflies produce a cold light in their abdomens, caused by a chemical reaction.  Different species of fireflies possess different flashing patterns, varying in sequence and duration.

On warm summer nights, males can be seen flying about attempting to attract a mate.  Females, which stay close to the ground, will flash in response if interested.  Her luminescent body acts as landing lights for the incoming male and mating takes place - sometimes.

Even insects aren't immune to rocky relationships, and because female fireflies are predacious, the males literally risk their lives when it comes to the dating scene.

Females will actually eat other species of fireflies, thus making courtship for the boys complicated.  The females have the ability to mimic up to 11 different species.  Taylor says, therefore being able to trick the male and lure him into her trap.

"By eating the males, the female acquires a poisonous substance which makes her distasteful to predators like birds and spiders," Taylor says.

If the female is sincere and mating does take place, she will lay her eggs and the cycle continues. Even so, as summer comes to a close, the firefly's days also are numbered.

So before the dance of the fireflies ends, Taylor encourages youngsters to observe these fascinating insects both in the wild and in captivity.  Fireflies are best found in meadows, along the edges of streams and near woodland trails.  Observing their true flashing patterns is best done in the wild, Taylor says.  Try to find different species by observing the frequency of their flashes.  Taylor also points out, "Wherever they are flashing, kids should look on the ground to see if they see a female flashing back."

To get a glimpse of them up close, Taylor recommends heading outside about a half hour after dusk and capturing them with a butterfly net.  Put them in a glass jar with some damp leaves and don't forget to poke a few holes in the top.  Remember, these little critters won't live past a week when captured, so be sure to always release them back into the wild.   

Comments

[pat]

Hello:

Well there is a company that makes amazing products here in the US, and it is called Enchanted Fireflies, www.enchantedfireflies.com

We ordered one, then we saw it twinkling, fading and all, then we ordered 3 more, what a display. Check the site, I do love them.
Pat

[cm]

that website you listed sells pieces of junk.

[Tricia Evans]

I think they look pretty and that is mean to call them pieces of junk. I'm sure anyone who grew up with fireflies and now lives somewhere that doesn't have them would really like them. Although, they are a little on the spendy side.

[Pat]

Hi,
Shocked to hear that someone said; “they are junk”. I think you got confused with some other products similar to Enchanted Fireflies, yet lower quality, which we tried, and they stopped working after few months. They are not comparable to the Enchanted Fireflies products. My husband is an engineer and he too was amazed if the high quality of Enchanted Fireflies. The proof is the two years unlimited warranty they offer. It shows the quality since no one gives such a warranty free of charge.
Pat

[dental health care]

these blogs are very interesting, very interesting insects, are my favorite animals, all of them!

[רופא שיניים]

I like firefly. I motivates children to view these exciting bugs both in the outrageous and in captivity. Fireflies are best discovered in mdw, along the sides of channels and near do tracks.

[classified online]

They are not similar to the Captivated Fireflies items. My partner is an professional and he too was surprised if the top excellent of Captivated Fireflies. The confirmation is the two years endless guarantee they provide.