![]() ![]() Mild winters can also be a sign of larger populations of summer bug life, so the influx of insects in backyards is not a shock, according to Farmer's Almanac.įireflies are actually not flies, but beetles, and each type of lightning bug found in North America are members of the same insect family. In years when summer weather arrives before the June 21 solstice, fireflies are more commonly seen weeks earlier than the start of the season. Rainy, humid days throughout the state in recent weeks could be a good sign for lightning bugs, who thrive in muggy weather. However, some could be seen as early as Memorial Day weekend, emerging from the soil where they spend much of their early life. This is because the bugs are cold-blooded, and their activity peaks when temperatures rise.įireflies are most commonly seen from mid-June to July and start to become less visible around August. It'll be easier to see the glowing bugs on warmer nights throughout the summer, when fireflies are more likely to flash green and yellow. Other things to watch out for are temperature, amount of precipitation, cloud cover, wind and amount of artificial light. Earth - Bread + Brewery to permanently close after 13 years in Mount Airyįor those looking to help, the environmental organization will ask what habitat the insect was found in and whether the grassy pasture was mowed prior to the sighting.Buddy the cat adopted by vet who fostered him after dog attack in Frankford.New Jersey state parks, forests and recreation areas are free to enter this summer.Just sitting outside for 10 minutes once per week through the end of lightning bug season and submitting data can help with research. This year, people can share their firefly observations with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, a nonprofit seeking to track distribution patterns of the insect throughout North America. Some may have even been spotted early, shining yellow and green in backyards just after dark. Old bugs caught from a previous summer lose their enzyme activity and are worthless.įor further information, write Firefly Project, c/o 122 Emory Ln.Whether you call them fireflies or lightning bugs, the glowing insects are headed to Pennsylvania. ◆ Only insects caught fresh this summer are good. It protects both the lightning bugs and the collector’s “net gains.” Once outside a freezer, it takes only five minutes for the bugs to thaw. A napkin in the bug container will help absorb condensation. If they thaw or get wet, they may become worthless. ◆ Freeze the bugs alive the night they are caught. Long-timers at catching lightning bugs advise using a net to catch the bugs which come out best around twilight. Happily, the right bug is the one easiest to catch and is detected by its leisurely blinking pattern. ◆ Catch the right bug - the one with the red head, black back and yellow tail. The enzyme luciferase also is used by some other scientists as a genetic marker tag to search for potentially revolutionary treatments for such diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, cystic fibrosis and some cancers.Īrea collectors delivered about 14 grams of lightning bugs in 2013.įor anyone wishing to try their hand at helping science by collecting fireflies, the rules are simple but important: Material in the lightning bug is used to address “food fear,” through testing to help ensure safety in things people eat. With outbreaks of e-coli, there is an increased public concern for quick, accurate detection, according to information released by The Firefly Project of Tennessee. Scientists and technicians use the lightning bugs - aka fireflies - to detect bacteria contamination in food. The insects are purchased by weight, not by count. This year, the price for fireflies jumped to an all-time high of 50 cents per gram or $14.20 per ounce - about $2 per 100 average size bugs - for a fresh supply of insects. ![]() The final collection time in Columbia is scheduled from 1:45 -2:15 p.m. Those little flashes of light all around the backyard at dusk actually could represent dollar signs - or more likely cent signs - for someone wanting to cash in on a call from scientists who need lightning bugs for produce safety testing. ![]()
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