Today’s special animal friends are the fireflies (lightning bugs, glowworms, etc.), more than 2,000 species of insects in the Lampyridae family, part of the order Coleoptera (beetles). Over 170 have been identified in the United States. Fireflies being pretty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k72jGJTC_3o
As one might expect, there is a great deal of variety among the thousands of firefly species. For example, many species are active in the daytime and do not produce light. In general, firefly females lay eggs on or under the ground. The eggs hatch in three or four weeks, and the larvae live through the summer and fall, eating snails, worms, slugs, and other insect larvae. Some have grooves in their jaws to dump digestive acid directly on the prey. This is gross. I’m going to have nightmares again.
Where was I? Carnivorous larvae ... the larvae hibernate in the ground through the winter, sometimes for several year depending on the species and climate. All larvae are bioluminescent; they are colloquially called “glowworms.” It is believed that the luminescence deters predation, since the larvae are toxic to most animals. After wintering underground, under tree bark, or beneath leaves, they wake up, eat more stuff, and pupate, emerging after a week or so as adult beetles. In many species, the female adult strongly resembles the larva, except that she has compound rather than simple eyes.
The most common species in Europe is Lampyris noctiluca. The female of this species does not fly, while the male does. The males produce light weakly and intermittently, while the females glow brightly. Adults in this species have no mouth; unable to eat, they die soon after mating. The luminescence of adult fireflies is a mating signal, helping adults of the same species to find one another. In some habitats, more than one species coexists, and mating preference goes to males who distinguish themselves as “our species” most strongly. (Consider the obvious metaphor while watching more fireflies being pretty.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pwXKKaSJ58
Synchronization is observed in many species and habitats around the world. So is other weird stuff. Females of the Photuris genus mimic the flashes of the Photinus genus, attracting and eating Photinus males and incorporating their chemicals to enhance the resistance to predation of the Photuris female. (Consider the obvious metaphor while watching more fireflies being pretty.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXr6qMwPkFs
Firefly populations are declining in many areas. Factors include pesticides, light pollution, habitat fragmentation, replacement of native with introduced flora, and urbanization. You can help fireflies find their mates by turning off outdoor lights at night and closing drapes or blinds. Support habitat for larvae by allowing leaf litter or fallen sticks to remain on the ground. Avoid chemical lawn fertilizers and allow native greenery to grow. Develop natural water sources such as streams and ephemeral ponds.
I saw a photograph of fireflies in a forest in Japan, and they were very, very pretty!
Who knew?
Laundry day. I have to get up and at it. Then maybe pack something or organize more for packing. Maybe. If I don’t do something stupid like take another allergy pill.
In the post war development with AC s being uncommon in the twilight adults would bring out the new light weight folding picnic chairs to cool off with iced tea and beers and chat with neighbors while hordes of boomer kids would try and capture the slow cruising lighting bugs in cupped hands. There was a competition of sorts to see who could catch the most, putting them into glass jars. All released when it was time to go inside.
TCs reference to ephemeral ponds made me pause, trying to recall if I had ever seen such...nope. But the ephemeral magic of the ignis fatuus, Latin for ‘giddy flame’, plural ignes fatui applies. (I just cheated there, borrowing the will of the wisp name...seemed appropriate.)
;>)