Lightning Bugs

[martianmoons]

I did not realize until recently that the lightning bugs I have enjoyed since I was a child (running around the lawn at dusk and in the early evening with the coming of late Spring and Summer, with hands outstretched, trying to gently catch these cool lit wonders) are not so widespread

Comments

[mercureal]

the book dandelion wine made me aware of san jose's lack. my childhood softball team was called the fireflies, which i think is kind of a cruel joke.

[martianmoons]

Yeah, I wonder who thought up the firefly name?!

Wish I could ship you some, but it is not their environment. Although you do have other benefits....I loved picking an orange from our friends' orange tree, it was so cool to have a delicious fruit that back home we always get in a grocery store! :)

[drocera]

We have TONS of lightning bugs this year! Last summer there were hardly any. Kind of strange...I've noticed (at least here in Western PA) that some summers are full of them and some summers there are trillions!

(My backyard looked like the milky way this evening, there were so many out there!)

Good Year!

[martianmoons]

That is so nice, to have a galaxy in your backyard!

We have a lot here just north of NYC, too, compared with previous years (more like a constellation or two! :). Maybe all the rain and hot weather helped? Who knows, they are appreciated! :)

[wave_cannon]

There are three pink species of fireflies indigenous to Southern California.
However, unlike the ones you've encounters, these species only luminesce in order to startle predators.

Predator--Not!

[martianmoons]

Thanks for the interesting information! (I guess I am not sufficiently predacious.....;)

Re: Predator--Not!

[wave_cannon]

That's a good quality in the field, not so good in the bedroom.

[wave_cannon]

I sit some evenings on my front steps or in my backyard, and still marvel at the magic of these flashing insects....They convey a sense of summer, of long days and gentle nights, of peace. :)

Have you taken the time to read about some species' pseudo-sexual behavior?

Dinner

[martianmoons]

Do you mean where the female of one species lures the males of another species, only to permanently invite them for dinner!? As a male myself, I do find that behavior disturbing......;)

However, as I sit and watch them, I try to keep those thoughts at bay...! :D

Re: Dinner

[wave_cannon]

Of one genus luring the males of another, not only to garner extra protein, but to also obtain distasteful chemicals, too.
Like stealing a guy's wallet, and his can of Mace to boot.

[jenlovefl2003]

We don't have them here either. They were all over in KC. I loved catching them!

[martianmoons]

Must be the hot weather perhaps...

When you visit relatives perhaps you are able to reacquaint yourself with these insects? :)