Lightning Bugs

[Scottie P]

Yes, Lightning Bugs.

Tis the season in our area. In the evening, as the sun is going behind the hills and the cool air is settling in you will see little yellow flashes appearing on blades of grass, on the underside of tree leaves - in the air.
I am into nature and the Lightning Bug is one of my favorite insects. I have read up on them - when I could - and have checked out numerous articles as to how they 'light up' and why.
Well, this evening there was one perched on the window sill and so I started to tap lightly, on the sill, with my finger - the bug would light up a few times and then sit silent and dark. So, I did it again - and the bug repeated the same behaviour. Curious to me because the last time that I'd read anything on the Lightning Bug, the study [supposedly] revealed that the lighting behaviour was linked to courtship and mating...:bug: Am I now engaged?

I find it curious and wonder if it isn't a multi-function sort of thing (the lighting, that is). Both mating and warding off potential threats? I think we can discount navigation and vision related stuff...but what about it?

Just a simple thing...anyone else notice this sort of behaviour - is anyone else even the least bit interested in Lightning Bugs? :rotlaugh:

X

[Ken Puls]

Scott,

Is the lightening bug the same thing as a firefly? When I was 9, we took a trip to Michigan (lived in East Lansing for 3 months), and I remember being fascinated by them. Don't have them on the west coast though. :(

[Scottie P]

Yes, Fire Fly, Lightning Bug - same people.

[Scottie P]

I guess that after all that I have read about these insects, I have not had such as an experience as this evening's. They usually sit still or fly away when you get that close. This one just flashed at me!
I also notice that when they are in captivity (kids love catching them and putting them into containers/jars with holes in the lids) that they tend to not flash...they do at first, but then they just seem to go silent (and yes, before they die!).

They are a fascinating thing.

[Zack Barresse]

I saw my first one when I went and visited my brother in Syracuse. I had never seen them before that. And yes, it is extremely fascinating! :yes

[Bo Duck]

Stationary lightning bugs that flash are generally females...flashing in response to males that fly in patterns near to the ground early, then higher (to cover more ground), as the evening progresses.
You can use a penlight (non-halogen) to mimic a female. hold it in the grass - when a male flashes as it flies past, flash the penlight twice for 2 seconds, repeat each time the male flashes. He'll fly to the penlight in the grass.
late in the season for fireflies now, but there are still a few around.
(i know more about lightning bugs than i do vba!)