I don’t mean to bust your bubble, but Lightening Bugs (or fireflies, or glowworms) are not, well, bugs! According to the Smithsonian Magazine, they are, —wait for it—-Beetles. But I digress. Lightening Bugs are a thrilling herald of Summer. Do you remember as a child, how excited you were!? School was out! Now for the lazy days of summer, sleeping late mornings, staying up late evenings, finding glistening, delicious wild plums (red or yellow)—and at night—- Lightening Bugs! darting here, there, over here, over yonder; their silent twinkling in the unhurried twilight adding joy and excitement to a delightful, carefree evening; They provided silent, kaleidoscopic, celebratory, fireworks. And it was a free show! Still is.
As children, Melanie and Jennifer, our daughters, would find a Mason jar with a metal Ball lid, poke holes in the lid; putting just enough grass blades inside “So the Lightening Bugs would feel at home!” In their hands they held a joyous, fun fascination. I’m pretty sure they had not read in a scientific journal how to keep Lightening Bugs; but they were careful to release them after a couple of days of activity; in their compassion for living things they didn’t allow their treasures turn belly up by keeping them contained too long
One evening recently, while sitting on our deck in the encroaching twilight, I noticed a Lightening Bug. Just one. Or maybe two. But no more, I think. I couldn’t tell—he or they, wouldn’t stay still! Now, there are a few ——very few— flashing around early in the evenings. They float among the Leyland Cypress trees beside our deck and in Kudzu vines below our fence. There is scientific evidence that there are fewer Lightening Bugs these days. Their decline could be from loss of their habitat, pesticides, and Commercial harvesting of Lightening Bugs—for the special chemical, luciferase, extracted from them; these factors could contribute largely to this current decline of Lightening Bug populations. Someday our grandchildren may be able to learn about them only in a museum.
On a more cheerful note, the Mills Brother’s’ song; is true! — “Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer, Lead us lest too far we wander, Love’s sweet voice is callin’ yonder,” — Their light is, indeed, a love call! The males flash their blinkers to attract females; these dudes have crafty ways of enticing a mate. Now, next time you capture Lightening Bugs, punch holes in the jar lid for air; put a wet paper towel in the bottom for moisture; (a few grass clippings would still please my now-grown-up daughters). And, after no more than 36-48 hours, release those love-sick critters. Let them continue their mission to find the light of their life!
Willis, almost ever time I read one of your articles I am also taken back to my childhood, Keep it up, my friend.
Thanks Tom!!!
Your messages always “make my Friday” complete. We don’t see many lightning bugs in Jesup…they were plentiful in Kentucky (back when I was a child). Thanks for the memories! Stay well.
Thanks, Linda. I really think there is a dramatic decline in the little critters. Y’all are in my prayers!
Willis, it brings back memories that go way back to summer evenings in Florida for me.
For Orv, it was Fireflies in a jar, or pasted on eyelids of his big sister Fern, peeping in the windows of the house as he was getting ready to be put to bed as a toddler…
Willis,
Loved your article about lightning bugs …. growing up in the country, they were so much fun to watch .. still have a farm in South Georgia and on our next visit I’ll check for these “bugs”
Thanks!! I had a ball writing this…brought back many memories for me, too!
I didn’t get the blog in my inbox today. Resubscribing.
Love catching lightning bugs. I grew up on a farm in MO. Aa d the night sky would be filled with them. I didn’t realize that there aren’t very many now. That is sad ! Whoops, I see I made a typo! Have a nice weekend.
Thank you, Mary Lou! Don’t worry about typos. Auto-correct makes enough on its own! It’s the intent that counts. Yes, I had not realized there was scientific evidence of their decline. I really miss the flocks of them! But am glad for those I see.
Enjoyed your article on lightning bugs. We would make rings out of them. We had to leave them on the front porch. Hope you write about June bugs.
Thanks again