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June is the best month of the summer in my opinion; a feeling rooted in memories from childhood. School ended in June, meaning weeks of freedom lay ahead. The weather was warm, but not uncomfortably so, and days lengthened so you could spend extra time outdoors. And when the darkness descended it wasn’t a bad thing, that was when the magic happened! The ground would begin to glow, a soft beacon of light here and there, and then the lights would rise above the grass and move through the air. Lightning bugs! It was time to grab the empty glass Pepsi bottles, waiting to be returned to the IGA, and fill them with lighting bugs, a homemade flashlight of sorts.
Not to take away from the magic of lightning bugs (that’s what we call them around here, go west and they are referred to as fireflies) but these bugs are actually soft-bodied beetles with a special organ in their abdomen that glows due to a chemical reaction taking place within that organ. It’s believed, depending on the stage of a lighting bug’s life, the blinking glow can be a warning sign to predators or a way to attract mates. Different species of lightning bugs have their own flashing patterns which they use as a form of communication. Females of one species can even mimic the flashing patterns of other species to draw in the males of other species, not to mate with them, but to eat them!
As of last summer, I still notice a great deal of lightning bugs in my yard, but that’s not the case for everyone. Humans are the biggest threat to them. Disturbing the soil for buildings and infrastructure decreases the habitat of lightning bugs. Outdoor lights interfere with the communication patterns of the bugs, disrupting their mating patterns. To allow our children and grandchildren to experience the enchantment of lightning bugs we all need to think about ways to lessen our impact on the habitats of these ethereal creatures; think twice before disturbing the soil, turn off those exterior lights. It may allow us all to enjoy nature’s light show for another season.
Have gardening questions or want to learn more about the Caroline County Garden Club? Message us on Facebook at Caroline County Garden Club-Maryland or email us at ccgardenclubinfo@gmail.com.
