Fireflies or lightning bugs? When I was growing up in Tennessee, we always called them lightning bugs, and I still call them that. Here in the mountains of North Carolina where I now live, they appear every evening as the sun is setting. I love watching them light up the forest.
In the United States, glowing insects are known as “fireflies” or “lightning bugs” depending on where you live.
“Firefly” is the more common term in the West and New England, while people in the South and most of the Midwest tend to say “lightning bug.”
In Japan, fireflies are revered and considered the dead souls of warriors.
Even though fireflies put on a pretty great light show, it’s not just for entertainment. The flashing of their light is how they communicate with each other – especially for courtship rituals. Males flash to let the ladies know they’re looking for love… and the females respond with flashes to say they’re interested.
An Apache legend tells of a trickster Fox who tries to steal fire from the firefly village. To accomplish this, he fools them and manages to set his own tail on fire with a piece of burning bark. As he escapes the firefly village, he gives the bark to Hawk, who flies off, scattering embers around the world, which is how fire came to the Apache people. As punishment for his deception, the fireflies told Fox that he would never be able to use fire himself.
Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you may have grown up calling it a candlefly, firebob, firebug, glowworm, jack-o-lantern, lamp bug, or will-o’-the-wisp.
Did you have lightning bugs or fireflies when you were a kid? Do you have them now?
Have a good weekend! Stay safe. Be kind.
Love,
Susan
Read the previous dispatch here.
Sad to say, we used to see a lot of them, but rarely see one anymore. It is like the birds, we used to have flocks of goldfinches, black birds and starlings. Now we rarely see them. Even the sparrows are less each year and I have not seen one purple finch this year.
This is really scary as far as I am concerned.
I am concerned, too, Wanda. I think we really need to be grateful for everything we see and do whatever we can to support them. Thanks for your comment!
I celebrated my 85th birthday with fireflies and fireworks. It was way up on a mountain where my son has his home. It was spectacular and we were outside and socially distanced the whole time.
That sounds absolutely fabulous, Lynn. Congratulations on your 85th birthday! xo 🙂