WW-5 Facts About Lightning Bugs

Yesterday, ma was cleaning out the bird bath and filling the feeders when she noticed the ground was flashing. She thought maybe it was just her eyes playing tricks on her but she kept seeing a slight glow. She looked a little more closely and she just squealed with delight.

She found a nest of lightning bugs! They were a couple of little larva that had a teeny tiny glow to them. She tried to get a photo of them but they disappeared into the ground before she could get one.
There were a couple of full grown lightning bugs hanging out around under the tree too.
Lightning bugs on a rock under the tree


















Did you know there are almost 2,000 lightning bug species? That is a lot of variations! We also have a nest of them back by the pond. Ma says she needs to plant some flowers around the pond but she is afraid she will disturb a nest. You really don't know there is a nest until you are right on top of it.

5 Facts about Lightning Bugs
  • Lightning bugs/fireflies are not actually flies but beetles.
  • Lightning bugs lay their eggs underground. The larva love to eat snails 
  • Lightning bugs are found on almost every continent. 
  • Lightning bugs have a short adult life. They live long enough to mate and lay their eggs
  • Lightning bugs communicate with each other with their flashes. 
I know there is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the dogzebo with ma at night on a warm summer evening watching the flashes in the air. Its a sure sign of summer. 

Do you have lightning bugs where you live?


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7 comments:

  1. Unknown7/08/2015 7:47 AM

    Oh, when Ma was a little girl she used to love watching the lightning bugs at night! Sadly, we don't see many hear in Florida but when we do, some crazy lady squeals with delight!
    Oz

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    Replies
    1. Carma Poodale7/08/2015 1:29 PM

      Doesn't take much to get the crazy women to squeal with delight does it? BOL! Simple things in life makes them happy.

      Delete
  2. The Daily Pip 7/08/2015 9:56 AM

    This is very interesting. I didn't know any of these facts. My daughter loves lightning bugs and I will definitely share these facts with her.

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    Replies
    1. Carma Poodale7/08/2015 1:31 PM

      They have also used the 2 chemicals that cause the bugs to light up in medical research. One study showed when they were put in abnormal cells they would light up the abnormal cells such as cancer cells. Its something to do with the ATP in the cells.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous7/08/2015 3:23 PM

    Dat sounds like fun. Weez not have many lightnin' bugs here, so weez not get to watch 'em. Course weez not sittin' outside in our heat to watch anyfin'. Weez be addicted to centwal air conditionin'. MOL Have a pawsum day.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Lexi

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  4. Anonymous7/09/2015 8:15 AM

    As a kid living in Brooklyn we used to catch them, put them in a jar, with holes in the cap for air and watch them light. I've never seen one in NYC. I can understand why - the city has so many lights that they couldn't be seen. I've never been to Central Park late enough so I don't know if they are there.

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  5. Tails Around the Ranch7/09/2015 2:13 PM

    I've never seen one in the Rocky Mountain region. Always thought my childhood was missing something because of it. ;)

    ReplyDelete

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