By Rachael Grove
Would you like some free nighttime entertainment? Then head outside after dusk for nature’s free display of beautiful sunsets followed by an early fireworks display thanks to the fireflies. Firefly displays can be seen in Ohio from early June into August but their activity decreases when temperatures get below 65 at night and totally decease when it is 60 degrees or below.
In Ohio, there are around 25 different types of fireflies (family Lampyridae, order Coleoptera). Males fly around flashing, while the females wait in trees, shrubs or grass. When she sees a male she likes, she will flash back at him. A few species are known to use their flashes to lure other species to become their dinner rather than their mate.
According to OSU, Ohio yards are commonly visited by the species Photinus pyralis, also known as the “Big Dippers”. These large fireflies are characterized by their yellow flash that creates a “J” shaped streak in the sky. The synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are a different species from our common backyard lightning bugs, and a rare sight in Ohio.
The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee has a population and is such a big tourist attraction that the park holds a firefly lottery every year for people to witness this special event. Although their name gives the impression that they flash in perfect sync and they can match up their blink, the synchrony really is most notable when the males all “turn off” in unison.
I recently attended a guided nighttime hike and firefly display at Quiverheart Gorge in Adams County where several people from Kentucky attended as well. One woman said that Kentucky also holds a lottery to witness the firefly displays. She said that she has entered for several years and still has not “won the lottery.” It is obviously a popular event for all ages.
The adult lifespan of a firefly is about 3-4 weeks and the eggs take about three weeks to hatch. They spend 1-2 years as larvae, hibernating underground or under tree bark. The pupae take another three weeks to mature. Because of this long period as larvae, the use of insecticides on lawns and landscaping and being too tidy in your yard can have long lasting effects on the firefly population.
Who doesn’t remember, as a kid, collecting the bugs in your cupped hands and putting them in a jar to watch them illuminate before setting them free again? Unfortunately, many of the people I have talked to remember when there seemed to be a lot more of them. Sadly, this is a common trend due to several factors, one of which is light pollution caused by artificial lighing such as streetlights, shopping centers and porch lights. You can help them out by turning off any unnecessary outdoor lighting. Because fireflies use their bioluminescent signals to attract mates, the artificial lights stresses and confuses them sometimes causing death. However, there are some fireflies that don’t emit a flashing light. These are called diurnal flameless fireflies or winter fireflies due to their ability to overwinter under tree bark. I have spotted some on trees in Shawnee National Forest while hiking.
Another factor in the decline of fireflies is habitat loss due to construction, development and urban sprawl. With all of the data centers cropping up, just think about all of the loss of habitat that creates not only for them but for other insects and species. The constant light, noise and pollution also plays a key factor.
The use of farm and lawn chemicals are a major factor in not only the decline of firefly population but other insect populations, as well as birds. There has been a 70 percent decrease in bird and insect populations since the 1970s, simply do your part by not using chemicals around your yard and creating more natural habitat.
Obviously, climate change is also playing a big role in the decrease of all of the natural world. Planting native trees, shrubs and flowers help the whole biological diversity. One of my favorite quotes by Dr. Jane Goodall is “What you do makes a difference. And you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”