FIREFLIES!
I
was always interested in fireflies or lightning bugs. Their glowing, pulsing
lights would take my young imagination on flights of fantasy. Well, there is a
lot more to them than what I used to imagine. Rick Durham, extension
horticulture specialist at UK has some great information on these cool beetles
and the good work they do in our gardens.
“Remember
how much fun it was to chase fireflies when you were young? Once you caught a
firefly, you would hold it in your hand to watch the flickering light for a few
moments and then release it unharmed to fly away.
Interestingly,
fireflies do more than generate entertaining childhood memories; they also help
control some pests in the garden. On summer nights, glow worms (luminescent
firefly larvae) often emerge from their underground homes to forage for food. A
typical menu includes slugs, snails and caterpillars including cutworms. The
larvae feed much like a spider by injecting a paralyzing toxin into their prey;
then, injecting digestive juices to dissolve the prey and allow it to be more
easily consumed. The adults probably feed on plant nectar to sustain their
energy requirements.
There
are several theories about why fireflies glow. One is that the flashing light
is a homing beacon for the opposite sex. The male flies around flashing the
signal to attract a female’s attention. A female on the ground or on
low-growing foliage will signal back when a male visits her vicinity. To avoid
confusion, each firefly species has its own specific signal to attract a mate.
Another
theory is that firefly larvae use their luminescence to warn a potential
predator that they taste bad. Larvae contain defensive chemicals in their
bodies. When disturbed, larvae also increase their glow’s intensity and
frequency.
Typical
nighttime habitats for adults and larvae take place in rotting wood or other
forest litter, or on the edges of water sources such as streams, ponds, marshes
and ditches. The highest species diversity is in tropical Asia and Central and
South America. Incidentally, some Asian species have tracheal gills that enable
them to live under water where they feed on aquatic snails.
To
attract fireflies to your property, reduce or eliminate lawn chemicals. Add
low, over-hanging trees, tall grass and similar vegetation to give adult
fireflies a cool place to rest during the day. Reduce extra lighting on your
property because this light interferes with fireflies’ luminous signals, making
it harder for them to locate mates in the area. Fireflies also determine the
time of night they’ll flash by the intensity of ambient light. This is why you
don’t see many fireflies flashing on clear nights with a full moon.”
The
Critter Files at UK has a lot of photos and info on insects and other
arthropods. Many Critter Files include
folklore and myths as well as all the facts. That just makes the study of
entomology fun and interesting for children and adults alike. Take a trip back to your childhood and remember,
“critters” can be cool!
You
can check out fireflies and more here:
For
child friendly information including a firefly game check this out:
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