My appreciation for fireflies soared when my friend who lives in Tokyo came to stay with me last June. Seiko had never seen fireflies. So, when they appeared at dusk on our porch, she started jumping and dancing. Her thrill at experiencing these enchanting insects gave me an increased interest in their bioluminescent magic. Fireflies can’t live in the densely developed city of Tokyo because there is no habitat for them. Apparently, years ago in Tokyo people could buy one firefly in a can. Fortunately, the selling of this novelty item has been banned. Now, many Japanese school children raise fireflies and release them in appropriate habitats.
My friend Anne Day, who is a professional photographer, went deep into the Allegheny National Forest in northwest Pennsylvania, to capture a
firefly light show. Amazingly, the entire forest flashes in unison as the synchronous male fireflies (Photinus carolinus) produce a glow from their abdomens to signal potential mates. Incredibly, their blinking is coordinated throughout the entire swarm. The males flash six times in a speedy sequence, then go dark for six seconds, and then repeat. The females who are at ground level respond faintly or with a double flash.
Fireflies, also called lightening bugs, are soft bodied beetles with a life cycle of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. There are approximately 170 different species in the US and more than twelve species of fireflies in this region. The one we see here in Glen Echo is most likely the Eastern firefly (Photinus pyralis), also called the big dipper firefly. A walk along the C&O Canal in late June will surely provide a spectacular show. Greenbelt is Maryland’s first city to create a firefly sanctuary.
Fireflies need our help. Eighteen species are at risk of extinction in North America because of habitat destruction, light and water pollution, and pesticide use. If we can protect or restore their habitats, there is an excellent chance we can reverse their decline.
Creating a lightening bug habitat in your garden is a great way to help! Here are the steps to have a lightening bug-friendly yard:
Set aside a part of your yard as a natural area with fallen leaves, rotting wood, underground burrows, and stones.
Have some unmowed vegetation like native grasses and mow the lawn less frequently.
Fireflies need moisture so a fountain or water feature will help to supplement puddles and dew. Or fill up a baby pool to provide water. It is best when placed in an area with some shade.
Avoid night light pollution because night lighting can interfere with communication and reduce their ability to mate.
Plant native plants. They especially like native pines where they are apt to lay their eggs in the canopy. Larvae can grow and flourish in the needles of the pine creating an ideal habitat for increasing numbers.
Do not use toxic pesticides. Insecticides designed to kill grubs will kill firefly larvae. Spraying harms adult fireflies. NOTE: this includes pesticide sprays used to kill mosquitoes.
Creating a healthy habitat for fireflies will bring more of these magical insects into your garden. They will glow and surprise with their shimmering performance.
There are some excellent web sites for more information. I recommend:
Photo: Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) light up the night in Elkmont, TN. Photo by Radim Schreiber, fireflyexperience.org.
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