The Mystery of the Firefly
Every once in a while during our decade-plus sojourn in the Upper Midwest, I’d wonder where all the fireflies were. Because it always seemed that I rarely saw them. I don’t know if that’s peculiar to the Twin Cities area, or Minnesota, or the Upper Midwest more generally, but it just seemed like there were very few fireflies (or, as we called them as kids, lightning bugs). I’d assume that I was imagining that phenomenon (or lack of one, I suppose), except that on moving back to Pennsylvania I was struck once again by how we can watch the fireflies dance every summer evening. They’re everywhere and always something of a mystery and delight.
Which is why I was so glad to come across this fourteen minute TED Talk by biologist Sara Lewis who explains some of the mystery of fireflies without losing the wonder of their warm, fragile, and evocative light. In fact, Lewis’ curiosity and delight is downright contagious and what she has discovered about the “hidden lives” of fireflies is at turns informative, intriguing, and occasionally quite surprising. Adorned with wonderful pictures, Lewis’ Talk is a great way to spend a few minutes in the heart of summer and perfect preparation to go out tonight to see some for yourself.
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I don’t see them here in Canada especially in Vancouver:
I think there are plenty in Italy
I miss them.
http://3psbyseeker.com/2014/07/13/fireflies-and-stars/
http://3psbyseeker.com/2014/07/05/fireflies/
Growing up in Philly in the 50s and early 60s we had plenty of lightning bugs. Not so many when I moved to SE MI in the mid to late 60s. Not sure when they first showed up here, but we sure got ’em now, and I am glad. Thanks for sending.
I grew up in North Dakota and have lived in ND & MN for most of my life. I never saw a firefly until a few weeks ago when we went to visit my husband’s family in Missouri for the 4th of July. The fireflies in the yard were as magical to me as the fireworks in the sky that night.
Our summer house is in SE MN by Lanesboro. We have tons of fireflies in the summer.