Megan's Nature Nook
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Fireflies: A magical scene that brings you back to childhood. Whether you grew up calling them Fireflies or Lightning Bugs, whenever you think of them, they evoke a wonderful memory. There is just something about them that makes them so magical and intriguing. There are 2,205 species of fireflies worldwide, 150 of those in North America, and we are lucky enough to have 12 different species in Minnesota. Although they have “fly” (firefly) or “bug” (lighting bug) in their name, they are actually a type of beetle. They are usually black with some yellow or orange on the body. There are many things that make these bioluminescent insects so intriguing; the first is that they light up! Fireflies glow because of a chemical reaction between luciferase (an enzyme), luciferin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and oxygen. The firefly brings in oxygen, ATP converts energy and initiates the glow, Luciferase triggers the light emission, and Luciferin is heat resistant – letting a majority of the energy released show as light instead of being released as heat and burning the firefly. The light produced can be yellow, green, or even blue. That is the short and sweet version of the fairly complicated process that these fireflies make look so easy! Adult fireflies mainly use their light to attract mates, but it may also be used to defend their territory, or as a danger signal to those wanting to eat them. (Although, there are some frogs and toads that don’t care about the bad taste and will eat enough fireflies to make themselves glow!) Each species has their own unique blinking pattern to attract others of their kind, it is almost like Morse Code for insects. If you watch their blinks closely you may be able to identify different species. For most species of fireflies, only the males will light up to attract females. However, some females will blink back to show their interest in a mate. There is one species of fireflies where the female will mimic the blinks of other species and lure in the males to eat them! (Check out the infographic at the end of this post to help you identify fireflies by their blinking patterns.) Once the fireflies have mated, the female will lay eggs that hatch into larva in about a month. The larva glow and can be found in bark or burrowed underground where they will stay until turning into adults the following year. In the larva stage, fireflies will eat smaller insects, snails, slugs, and worms; injecting them with a numbing fluid before they eat them. Adult fireflies eat insects, pollen, and plants. The average lifespan of an adult is two months, but some may live for just a few days. Those that have a shorter lifespan may not even have mouthparts and therefore won’t eat during their adult stage. Fireflies prefer warm, humid environments - making our muggy June and early July days in Minnesota a great time to see them! Look for them near tall grass or bushes where they can find cover. They like areas near open water, and spots where forests or grassy fields meet water. Watch in your backyard, you may be surprised to see some around! Look high and low, too – I have been seeing them in the short grass, a few feet off the ground, and even way up in the tree tops. Wait until dusk to see their glowing and blinking, or look in the grass and vegetation during the day to spot them. Over the years, firefly populations have been declining for a number of reasons. A few of the main reasons for the decline are habitat loss, increase of pesticide and fertilizer use, and light pollution from urban sprawl. There are a few things you can do in your own yard to help the fireflies. Make your yard into ideal firefly habitat by having trees, bushes, and areas with long grass. Don’t use pesticides or fertilizers that can kill the eggs, larva, or adults, and turn off any exterior lights. Light from street lights, garages, sheds, outbuildings, and homes can make it too light outside and cause the fireflies to not see each other’s blinking, resulting in them not being able to find a mate. If you decide to catch any fireflies, place them in a glass jar with holes in the lid. Place a damp paper towel, grass, leaves, and twigs in the jar. Admire your fireflies and release them after a short time back into the wild so they have time to find a mate before their short lives are up. In Minnesota, peak firefly viewing is around the 4th of July. Before bed, head outside or to the window from inside a dark room and watch for the blinking of fireflies. Enjoy the magical scene that we get for only a short time each summer.
What is the number one Firefly pick-up line? You sure are flashy tonight! Visit www.Firefly.org for more information about these interesting creatures. Check out the infographic below to help you identify fireflies by their blinking patterns.
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