Grab a mason jar and fall back into childhood. Lightning bugs are back in Michigan!
Long before string lights, catching a glowing beetle in a jar was the way to light up a summer evening. But when is the last time you even saw one lightning bug, let alone enough to catch and turn into a makeshift nightlight?
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The lightning bug population has declined significantly over the past several years caused in part by pesticides and some farming techniques.
The chemicals that kill insects like spiders and ants can also kill lightning bugs. But this year the fiery little beetles are popping up all over Michigan thanks to an early spring followed by a drier than normal period.
Here are some fun facts about fireflies:
First of all, fireflies are not flies. They are beetles in the same order as ladybugs and boll weevils.
Fireflies have a “glow organ” located in their last couple of abdominal segments. An enzyme called “luciferin” combines with oxygen, calcium and adenosine triphosphate to create light. A firefly can control when it lights up by breathing in oxygen.
Male fireflies use a pattern of light to attract females. The male will know if a female is interested by seeing how long it takes to flash back her reply. Though some females use false flash patterns to trick the males into coming closer and then eat them. Yikes.
Finally, fireflies can synchronize their flashing during mating season.
This year is predicted to be one of the best for catching lightning bugs in Michigan. In fact, as numbers continue to decline, this might be the last year you have a glowing jar of bioluminescent beetles on your nightstand.