JUNE 2016: I enjoyed a fascinating article by Melissa Breyer (at Treehugger.com) about why firefly populations are diminishing in some areas (“What’s Happening To The Fireflies?”). It prompted me to republish the post below from 2013 and to read up on these fascinating little creatures.
Fireflies are a bioluminescent species because they can produce their own light. A chemical reaction within the firefly’s light organ produces the light: when an enzyme called luciferase is present, oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP—the energy-carrying molecule of all cells), and a chemical called luciferin (See “How and why do fireflies light up?“). The resulting light is thought to be the most efficient light in the world, with nearly every speck of energy in the chemical reaction emitted as light. Industrial researchers have found many other uses for the enzyme luciferase, and even though it can now be produced synthetically, fireflies are still harvested to extract the enzyme, contributing to the decline in the firefly population. If you’re still curious, you’ll enjoy “14 Fun Facts About Fireflies.”
Here in the rural Shenandoah Valley, we’re fortunate to still see an abundance of fireflies, but not as many as a generation ago. Do you have fireflies where you live? Have you noticed a change in how many you’re seeing compared to several years ago?
SUMMER 2013: Last year, I saw my first firefly on June 1, but it took another week or two before they became very conspicuous. One night towards the end of June, I got up in the night and looked out the window. Fireflies—millions of them—were illuminating the trees along the edge of the woods like magic sentinels. It was breathtaking and inspired me to write the following poem:
Message of the Fireflies
Orbs of night
Like fairies flickering in the evening
Harbingers of summer
Punctuating the dusk with sparks of light
Beacons of love
Intent on only one thing: to perpetuate the species
Inspirations of God
Listen to the message in their silence:
Dazzle the world with your brilliance!
Shine to light the way for others!
Love with every fiber of your being!
Do what you were born to do!
Great post, Elizabeth! One of the reasons I love fireflies is that they’re something familiar from my long-ago childhood. I haven’t noticed fewer or more from the old days, but I have noticed they seem brighter here in our Virginia yard than they did back in Iowa when I was a kid. I think that’s because there’s less light pollution here; not only is Staunton skimpy on streetlights but we live on a wooded lot with big trees blocking the moon’s glow. Whatever the reason, I agree with your writings: they’re magical!
I love this, Elizabeth! When I lived in Oregon, we had no fireflies (or thunderstorms, or cicadas) and I missed them so very much. Fireflies continue to remind me of how magical the world really is, and are the best part of summer.
I didn’t realize that there were parts of the country with no fireflies! Yes, those of us who grew up watching Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (and there are now at least two generations of us), certainly feel the magic of these lovely little lights. Thanks for commenting!
How wonderful, Elizabeth! I love “lightning bugs” (what we used to call them). We don’t see many up here – I wonder why? I do remember running after them as a child, we’d capture some in a jar (for just a few minutes, then let them go). It is the small things that bring the most treasured childhood memories. Thanks for helping me to remember!
Yes, we called them lightening bugs too, Karen. One time my brothers and I put some in a jar, poked holes in the lid, and for some reason decided to put them under our parents bed. My poor mother woke up in the middle of the night and thought the bed was on fire! 🙂
Wonderful poem that ‘capture’ the firefly and all it represents to us as we watch them flit and flirt: summer, joy, ‘seize the moment’ philosophy. Thank you!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Pamela! Yes, summer is a special time, and these amazing little creatures seem to epitomize a lot of what we love about it.