What happened to the fireflies (lightning bug), have you seen any, lately ?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by hdwills, Feb 25, 2010.

  1. #1
    I remember, while growing up, we had hundreds of them in our backyard and neighboring gardens. They lit up trees, bushes, shrubs like millions of tiny bulb.

    While talking to my 5 year old son about my childhood, I started about fireflies and than I realized I have not seen those little guys in the last decade I guess.

    Obviously my son does not know what a firefly is and I had to describe it to him and showed him a photo online. Since that day, he has been asking me to show him a live firefly.

    Guess what! while I was sitting on my porch today (30 minutes ago) I found a firefly on the window. I started laughing like crazy and the wife came out and I said, "See!! here is a firefly!!!". She just shook her head and went back in.

    My son is asleep now. I put the firefly in a jar, it is alive. I will show it to him tomorrow.

    Have you guys seen any fireflies lately. I think they are going extinct.
     
    hdwills, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  2. HuggyStudios

    HuggyStudios Well-Known Member

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    #2
    I've never even seen one before, I live in the UK I'm not sure if they inhabit this country.
     
    HuggyStudios, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  3. Digital_shubhi

    Digital_shubhi Illustrious Member

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    #3
    Well, I do see them during summer time. So, may be I will see them within next 1 month.

    - Mr.President -
     
    Digital_shubhi, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  4. dairyman

    dairyman Notable Member

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    #4
    Like most of the fauna, the firefly is also gradually disappearing because of our greed for natural resources. I was delighted at the sight of the twinkling bugs when I was a kid but sighting them these days is rare...
     
    dairyman, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  5. TheBankBreaker

    TheBankBreaker Peon

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    #5
    I havent seen them in a long time either, its been years.
     
    TheBankBreaker, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  6. Live2Write

    Live2Write Active Member

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    #6
    I see them but not too often, lately...just from a moving train and so on!
     
    Live2Write, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  7. 5starpix

    5starpix Notable Member

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    #7
    It has been so long since I seen one
     
    5starpix, Feb 25, 2010 IP
  8. hdwills

    hdwills Well-Known Member

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    #8
    I guess the spraying of insecticides, lack of prey (what do they eat ?), light pollution is taking a toll on their population. By the way my firefly is still alive in the jar, and my son is very excited after seeing it.
     
    hdwills, Feb 26, 2010 IP
  9. Jeccles

    Jeccles Peon

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    #9
    Well, since it is the middle of the winter here - I would be really surprised if I did! I have been told that the absence of fireflys could indicate pollution porblems in your area. I really don't know. I DO know that where my husband and I live - near one of the great lakes - we see tons of them in the summer. It's a freakin light show in our back yard.
     
    Jeccles, Feb 26, 2010 IP