10 Things You Might Not Know About Lightning Bugs

When I was a kid, it just wasn't summer yet until we could go out and catch some lightning bugs. We would dig through the kitchen to find a jar or something with a lid, have mom poke holes in the top and we were off. So in honor of that fun summer tradition, I thought I'd post 10 amazing facts about lightning bugs/fireflies that you may or may not know.

1. Lightning bugs are actually nocturnal beetles


2. Most fireflies have wings, which separates them from other luminescent insects of the same family, we know them as glowworms
3. There are 2,000 firefly species
4. Fireflies have dedicated light organs, they take in oxygen and combine it with luciferin to produce light with almost no heat
5. Firefly light flashes flash in patterns unique to each species
6. The blinking pattern helps the firefly find a potential mate
7. The light may also be a defense mechanism to let predators know that they taste terrible
8. Female fireflies deposit their eggs in the ground, there the larvae develop into adults
9. Underground larvae feed on worms and slugs by injecting them with numbing fluid
10. Adult fireflies usually eat nectar and pollen, but sometimes don't eat at all.

Here are some websites with lightning bug/firefly information.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/insect/firefly.htm

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly.html

http://www.backyardnature.net/lightbug.htm

I will also be adding this handmade bug keeper to my Etsy shop later today. Have fun with a kid you know. Go out and catch some lightning bugs together. Now you can awe them with your great knowledge of lightning bugs.