Firefly Fascination or Fascinating Fireflies

As night approaches in summer, the frog and cricket symphony
swells, the owls hoot and the trees whisper their songs on the
summer’s breeze. There is a certain magic to the voices of
summer and its chorale of life. This year we have been graced
with numerous magnificent aurora borealis appearances creating
breath taking light shows. For me though, summer’s night magic
culminates with the arrival of the fireflies moving like small fairies
lighting up the darkness with their love calls.
I have loved them since childhood. I would make a firefly jar,
poke holes for air and catch them to make a lantern, turning
them loose when I was called inside for the night. I mimic those
lanterns today with solar fairy lights in jars which hang in the
rowan outside my door. They are beautiful but cannot compare to
the fireflies that surround us in summer.
The legends and lore of fireflies include the Amazonian myth that
fireflies were gifts of the gods and provided humans with light,
hope and guidance in times of darkness. In Japanese culture
there are stories of two types of fireflies associated with ghosts of
opposing warriors, the Minamo and the Taira. Fireflies are
considered omens or symbols of illumination, attraction, positivity,
simplicity and self-awareness.
Regardless of how one views the firefly, there are some
interesting facts related to their lives and loves:
 The numerous species of fireflies are over three million years
old.

 They can fly as fast as 30-45 miles per hours and do so in
six different directions!
 They are harmless to humans, carrying no pathogens that
harm us.
 They eat only in larval stages and they eat pest insects that
hurt our gardens like slugs and snails, and they love
mosquito larvae, a delicacy to the firefly! As adults, they are
pollinators and eat nectar and pollen.
 They are found all over the world, but interestingly, the
species in western North America do not light up!
 The light produced by the bioluminescence of the firefly is
the most efficient lighting in the world. Almost 100% of the
energy in the chemical reaction is utilized, while the lightbulb
emits only 10% of its energy as light while the rest is lost as
heat.
 They thrive in warm weather and love the dampness of
summer heat.
 They are neither a fly nor a bug. They are a beetle.
 They love moving water like a waterfall or fountain.
 Female fireflies will eat the males and absorb their
photochemicals which increases their health and safety.
Their bioluminescence makes them taste bad to predators,
so the more of these chemicals the better!
 The males flicker in patterns to attract the females. If the
female likes the pattern, she only flickers once, and he
comes running! No missed opportunities here!
 The colors of the fireflies light vary from pale yellowish green
to blue or blue green. Color can be affected by heavy
metals, vegetation and environmental factors such as
temperature and humidity. North Carolina hosts a subset of
the species with it’s own beautiful blue-green light.

To attract more fireflies to your yard leave a little leaf litter around
your shrubs and trees. They sleep there in the daytime and also
spend part of their larval stage there. You can see the larva glow
in the evening if you lift the leaf litter. The larva are called “glow
worms.” Let some areas of grass grow taller. Plant native plants
and trees. Lower your lights to decrease light pollution and do
not use pesticides. Finally, add a water element or fountain to
your yard.
Enjoy the gifts of summer! Watching these little wonders warms
the heart and soul. These little flying lights carry holism and
healing on their wings. Take the time to breathe it all in and enjoy
the season’s many gifts, fireflies being a big one!
As always, yours in well-being,
Sandra L. Place
sandy@asandyplace.com
www.asandyplace.com