The Firefly Lab
@lets-firefly.bsky.social
Everything about the twilight twinkle & glam glow of #fireflies
• science • conservation • literature • folklore •
explorer + scientist @ Cornell
~ no, fireflies do not "flash from their butt" ~
➡️ lucidluminescence.org
• science • conservation • literature • folklore •
explorer + scientist @ Cornell
~ no, fireflies do not "flash from their butt" ~
➡️ lucidluminescence.org
Synchronous #fireflies are mostly seen nowadays around TN, NC, SC.
But the first scientific report* of "Fireflies flashing in unison" dates back to 1916 and describes an observation made 50 years prior (!) near Gorham, Maine.
More recent studies also reported synchronous species in TX and AZ.
But the first scientific report* of "Fireflies flashing in unison" dates back to 1916 and describes an observation made 50 years prior (!) near Gorham, Maine.
More recent studies also reported synchronous species in TX and AZ.
February 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Synchronous #fireflies are mostly seen nowadays around TN, NC, SC.
But the first scientific report* of "Fireflies flashing in unison" dates back to 1916 and describes an observation made 50 years prior (!) near Gorham, Maine.
More recent studies also reported synchronous species in TX and AZ.
But the first scientific report* of "Fireflies flashing in unison" dates back to 1916 and describes an observation made 50 years prior (!) near Gorham, Maine.
More recent studies also reported synchronous species in TX and AZ.
A multitude of tiny lights persist amid darkness
January 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A multitude of tiny lights persist amid darkness
Dinosaurs, too, could enjoy a good firefly show in their Jurassic plains! ✨🦕
Caught in a piece of amber, this very old #firefly carries light organs (lanterns), indicating that #lightningbugs already flickered in the night 100 million years ago.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Caught in a piece of amber, this very old #firefly carries light organs (lanterns), indicating that #lightningbugs already flickered in the night 100 million years ago.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
January 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Dinosaurs, too, could enjoy a good firefly show in their Jurassic plains! ✨🦕
Caught in a piece of amber, this very old #firefly carries light organs (lanterns), indicating that #lightningbugs already flickered in the night 100 million years ago.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Caught in a piece of amber, this very old #firefly carries light organs (lanterns), indicating that #lightningbugs already flickered in the night 100 million years ago.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
"Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising thro' the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid."
-- in Locksley Hall by Alfred Tennyson
#fireflies #LetsFirefly #Pleiads #poetry
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid."
-- in Locksley Hall by Alfred Tennyson
#fireflies #LetsFirefly #Pleiads #poetry
January 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM
"Many a night I saw the Pleiads, rising thro' the mellow shade,
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid."
-- in Locksley Hall by Alfred Tennyson
#fireflies #LetsFirefly #Pleiads #poetry
Glitter like a swarm of fire-flies tangled in a silver braid."
-- in Locksley Hall by Alfred Tennyson
#fireflies #LetsFirefly #Pleiads #poetry
What's the difference between #fireflies and lightning bugs?
None!
It's just two different terms for the same bioluminescent beetles.
"Fireflies" is generally more widespread, but #LightningBugs is common in the southeastern states.
Which one do you use?
None!
It's just two different terms for the same bioluminescent beetles.
"Fireflies" is generally more widespread, but #LightningBugs is common in the southeastern states.
Which one do you use?
January 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
What's the difference between #fireflies and lightning bugs?
None!
It's just two different terms for the same bioluminescent beetles.
"Fireflies" is generally more widespread, but #LightningBugs is common in the southeastern states.
Which one do you use?
None!
It's just two different terms for the same bioluminescent beetles.
"Fireflies" is generally more widespread, but #LightningBugs is common in the southeastern states.
Which one do you use?
Where do #fireflies go in the winter?
Fireflies spent most of their life as larvae 🐛
In the cold months they dwell in the soil & leaf litter.
Most larvae glow -- very dimly.
If you look, you might spot their faint blue-ish specks. It's very beautiful, like a mini constellation on the earth 🌌
Fireflies spent most of their life as larvae 🐛
In the cold months they dwell in the soil & leaf litter.
Most larvae glow -- very dimly.
If you look, you might spot their faint blue-ish specks. It's very beautiful, like a mini constellation on the earth 🌌
January 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Where do #fireflies go in the winter?
Fireflies spent most of their life as larvae 🐛
In the cold months they dwell in the soil & leaf litter.
Most larvae glow -- very dimly.
If you look, you might spot their faint blue-ish specks. It's very beautiful, like a mini constellation on the earth 🌌
Fireflies spent most of their life as larvae 🐛
In the cold months they dwell in the soil & leaf litter.
Most larvae glow -- very dimly.
If you look, you might spot their faint blue-ish specks. It's very beautiful, like a mini constellation on the earth 🌌
Let's talk about Winter Fireflies! ❄️🪲
Some beetles in the firefly family (Lampyridae) do not flash and emerge in the daylight & winter -- hence their nickname.
One example is Ellychnia corrusca below, which I found on the Glen Boulder, on the slopes of Mt Washington, NH.
#fireflies #ellychnia
Some beetles in the firefly family (Lampyridae) do not flash and emerge in the daylight & winter -- hence their nickname.
One example is Ellychnia corrusca below, which I found on the Glen Boulder, on the slopes of Mt Washington, NH.
#fireflies #ellychnia
January 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Let's talk about Winter Fireflies! ❄️🪲
Some beetles in the firefly family (Lampyridae) do not flash and emerge in the daylight & winter -- hence their nickname.
One example is Ellychnia corrusca below, which I found on the Glen Boulder, on the slopes of Mt Washington, NH.
#fireflies #ellychnia
Some beetles in the firefly family (Lampyridae) do not flash and emerge in the daylight & winter -- hence their nickname.
One example is Ellychnia corrusca below, which I found on the Glen Boulder, on the slopes of Mt Washington, NH.
#fireflies #ellychnia
January 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
No, fireflies don't "flash from their butt"!
Their bioluminescence is produced in the terminal segments of the abdomen, called *lanterns* 🌟
Their bioluminescence is produced in the terminal segments of the abdomen, called *lanterns* 🌟
January 3, 2025 at 2:23 PM
No, fireflies don't "flash from their butt"!
Their bioluminescence is produced in the terminal segments of the abdomen, called *lanterns* 🌟
Their bioluminescence is produced in the terminal segments of the abdomen, called *lanterns* 🌟