Evening enchanters: fireflies

If you grew up anywhere in the south, you probably spent many early summer evenings as I did.

I well remember time outdoors with my sister and cousins. Each of us carried a glass jar with a lid and enjoyed the capture of elusive lightening bugs. The capture was a thrill, but once the lid was on, we were entranced by their intermittent glow, though we knew we should soon release these enchanters back into their habitat.

Whether you know them as lightning bugs or fireflies, these flying beetles are in the Lampyridae family. Of the 175 firefly species in the US, 36 are found in Texas. The intermittent firefly flashes are used to signal mates, and each species has a distinct flash pattern. Firefly flashing also deters predators.

Unfortunately, these bioluminescence creatures are in decline. “Why?” you might ask. Well, for the usual reason: loss of habitat.

You and I can do something about this decline. While the adult firefly lives only 2-4 weeks, the preadult larval stage lasts 1–2 years. As they wait to display their adult glow, firefly larvae live in soil, mud or leaf litter and eat almost any organic matter. Some of your garden pests, snails, slugs, and other various insects are just the meal they desire. To create a happy habitat for fireflies and their larvae, don’t over mow your lawn, let log and leaf litter accumulate, turn off outside lights and avoid use of lawn chemicals.

The first week of May, my granddaughter spotted a firefly. First, there was one — then two, three and four. She was fascinated just as you and I were when we were young. Let’s save these evening enchanters for future generations.

To learn more, consider attending Firefly Watch, sponsored by the City of Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department on May 24 and 27.