FIREFLIES

FIREFLIES

We have always called them lightning bugs. Maybe its a regional colloquialism. In either case, they sparkle in the summer nights in southern Ohio. My grandchildren who live in Florida only see them when they come to visit. If fireflies lived in Florida, I guess they would be out year round. The same goes for the western United States. I understand there are no fireflies in the west.

Youngsters like to catch lightning bugs and put them in a glass jar. Its cute but it kills them in a short time. The ones you see flying around and blinking their lights are males. They are hunting for females. In general, females do not fly. A male will blink about every five seconds. When a female acknowledges a male, she will blink back at him.

If you really want to catch one the scientific way, get yourself a pen light or a flash light with the lens covered except for a small hole. When you see a male blink, count two seconds and blink back. The male will fly toward you. Make your blink the same length of time as his. Don't move! Remember, the females do not move. No, I will not make a comment about women being lazy.