hose honey bees fill up with pollen. But there is nothing that represents spring and summer more than the neon glow of the lightening bug. I remember as a kid running around in the cities of New York and New Jersey catching lightening bugs and sticking them in my plastic juicy cups. We would have a mini competition to see who can catch the most. Lightening bugs were my introduction to spring and summer and also my gateway to explore the world of bugs period. There was not one place that I have not visited in the US that did not have lightening bugs. But sad to say they are just apart of my childhood memories. It's almost like "Where the wild things are." Tucked away some place and admired from a many memories ago. I can't show a lightening bug to my kids because there are not any to be found. So where did they go? or am I not just looking in the wrong place.As I was doing research on beneficial bugs in the garden I came across the fact that lightening bugs are at the top of the list for beneficial bugs in the garden. Lightening bugs or as some may call them fire flies are predators who during there larva stage eat a whole host of bad creatures like snails and cut worms. It's a shame that in my adult life I can not give these guys the habitat they need to thrive. Somebody has an answer. I heard from a few researchers on the issue speculating everything from habitat loss to light pollution. Whatever it is, there is a serious decline in lightening bugs so much so I might have a better chance at seeing the Yeti.
6 comments:
Wow, that's terrible! I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and to my knowledge we've never had lightning bugs here. The first time I saw them was when I traveled out of the country.
But according to one source I read "The downside of paradise, from the firefly's perspective, is pesticides, particularly the broad-spectrum sort used to kill a fellow beetle, the white grub, in lawns". So one thing you can do to improve firefly conservation is not use lawn pesticides, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Well, we did the same things as kids in the 60's.
Multiply that by thousands and maybe we made them extinct!
Just kidding.
I grew up in Oklahoma and my sister just moved back there after 20 years in California.
Her backyard is full of them but not until late June/July and August.
I live on the west coast as well. I wonder if you could buy them through a flower company that ships.
I really miss them.
Robin - Anony- it may have something to do with pesticides. At this point it's a big mystery. I guess when enough people start to reflect about the good times of their childhood, they will notice something missing. I think because its such a drastic disappearance, that the lightning bug may probably be on the threatened list or can bugs and insects even be considered endangered!?!?
I grew up in Jersey too (still here unfortunately) and I've noticed a huge decline as well from the time I was a kid way back in the 70's. Its a real shame. Part of the Summer experience I think.
I live in Katy Texas and don't see them any more. But iwas recently in York PA and they were alk over the place. It was late July and very hot for the area. I miss them and wish my kids could see more of them.
I live in Katy Texas and don't see them any more. But iwas recently in York PA and they were alk over the place. It was late July and very hot for the area. I miss them and wish my kids could see more of them.
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