A firefly June

We've seen almost as many fireflies this year than we used to see in the summers we spent as (young) researchers near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, many years ago.

They're flashing again tonight, at all canopy levels.  It's probably the tail end of the mating season; they're definitely not as as abundant as earlier in June.  Fireflies are a seasonal component of living in the eastern U.S.  -  special, to be sure.

It's certainly been a firefly June in the mountains of western North Carolina!

Comments

  1. It has been a good year for fireflies in the mid Altantic also, but not as good as 2009, when I swear it was like fireworks! I love watching for the different patterns, some at ground level, some high up in the trees--different species? or just "language" variety?

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  2. Thanks for the post. This is my first time on your site, just kickin' around. We're in the Midwest and I've never seen so many so early...Natures Bling. Oh -- and by the way, we have a green site of our own so come visit our blog! Right now we're talking about worm composting in the dining room on The WormFarm Chronicles -- http://www.gottabgreen.com/blog.html

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  3. I think that different species are at different levels in the canopy, at least that's what I learned from a former colleague, who studies fireflies in the Smokies.

    The flashing timing (and rhythms) reflect species-specific traits, I think! But I'm certainly not an expert on them.

    Enjoy the summer display!

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