fireflies are beautiful insects. Some people know them as lightning bugs. Despite their name, fireflies are beetles, no flies. Their lower abdomen lights up, which they use to communicate and find mates. There are also over 150 species of fireflies living in North America. They thrive in all kinds of climates, including brutal winters and scorching summers.
In this article, we’ll dive into where fireflies go in winter and other fun facts! Keep reading to learn more.
Common types of fireflies
There are 2,000 types of fireflies in the world. They are most visible during summer nights when they light up and flash. While they all sparkle, each firefly has its own unique patterns and characteristics. Keep reading to learn about common types of fireflies and what makes each species special.
1. Common Oriental Firefly
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Photinus pyralis, also known as the common oriental firefly, is a small beetle and the most common firefly in North America. It communicates with light patterns, especially when looking for mates. The male flashes blinking lights at the females, and they respond slowly. Adults often measure up to 15 mm. They are dark brown with light orange markings. Common eastern fireflies eat pollen, snails, and slugs.
2. Substriated Firefly
Luciola substriata is a type of firefly found in parts of India, Taiwan, Chinaand Japan. These fireflies have a short body, reaching 10.5 mm in length. Female luciola substriata fireflies are larger than males. Their body is yellow-orange with a dark brown head and eyes. These fireflies live in swamps and wetlands. It is rare to see them at the end of the year, but they are found from April to December.
3. Synchronous Fireflies
Synchronous fireflies are a species of firefly that live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In large groups, they synchronize their light patterns. Their scientific name is Photinus carolinus. In a two-week window between May and June, they produce a courtship display. Every few seconds they flash their lights several times. It is such a spectacular sight that thousands of people come to this park to admire its breathtaking spectacle.
4. Phausis reticulata
Phausis reticulata, also known as the blue ghost, is a species of firefly common in the eastern and central United States. Unlike other fireflies, this species glows bluish-white. The closer the blue ghost fireflies are, the brighter green their glow appears. They are all brown with big eyes. Interestingly, only male blue ghost fireflies have wings. Females are wingless and remain in larval form. During mating season, male fireflies seek out females in warm, humid forests.
5. Shadow Ghost Fireflies
Shadow ghost fireflies belong to the family Lampyridae. They are native to North America. These fireflies thrive in warm, humid areas. Only female shadow ghost fireflies have light. They also live in a larva-like body all their lives. Adult male ghost fireflies are winged but without a lantern. The scientific name of this species is Pahausis inaccensa. Although common in the United States, they are rarely seen or documented.
What do fireflies do in winter?
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Fireflies that live in mild winters can survive all winter. However, the average lifespan of a firefly is 2 months. Fireflies that live in harsh winters and colder climates die during the winter. The freezing cold temperatures prove to be too strong. However, fireflies hibernate as larvae underground or under warm, thick tree bark. They wake up and emerge in the spring.
Is it good to have fireflies in your garden?
If you see fireflies dazzling the sky in your garden, that’s a good sign that your garden or yard is healthy. Fireflies seek out abundant sources of food and water. They prefer humidity and standing water, which is why many of them live in streams and swamps. If you want to increase the number of fireflies in your garden, you can install a water tap. A small birdbath or fountain can increase humidity and provide a source of water. Another idea is to get rid of unnecessary light. Too much light discourages these fireflies as they are nocturnal and produce their own light. They need to see their light patterns to find a mate.
Fun facts about fireflies
- Fireflies are not flies or insects. They are beetles.
- Not all fireflies produce light. Some are active during the day.
- Some species are poisonous to animals and should not be grilled, cooked or eaten.
- There are fewer fireflies appearing at night due to light pollution.
- It is difficult to document fireflies due to the number of species there are.
- Some scientists believe that there are still species of fireflies that we don’t yet know about.
- They are a wonderful and efficient light source, but not a heat source. If they got hot like a light bulb, they wouldn’t survive.
- In the United States, most West Coast fireflies do not light up.
- They have only been adults for two months.
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