Scientists believe that lightning-bug numbers are declining worldwide. As part of the volunteer Firefly Watch of Boston’s Museum of Science, you can assist researchers by collecting data. Just spend 10 minutes a week to count evening activity in a yard or field. Sign up at mos.org/fireflywatch.
This makes me sad. I remember when I was a little girl going out to catch fireflies. I grew up in the country so they were abundant. I used to catch them in empty tomato sauce jars – (after I’d carefully poked holes in the lid of course.) I’d like to think that future generations would have the opportunity to catch their lucky fireflies as well, but with less to catch it looks like many will miss out.
Did you catch fireflies as a child?
What kind of emotions do you feel when you think back to doing it?
Did you think it was lucky to catch one?
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This is interesting. I haven’t thought of fireflies in long time. My new house her in Washington is in the country. My backyard is big and leads out to a huge field. I have not seen one firefly. Kinda sad. you woulld think they would be all over here. I will keep my eye out now and actually look for them.
Check out the link to the Boston museum study they’re doing if you start to see some.
It’s a pretty cool study they’re working on. It could be a fun project with the kids.
Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen too many this summer. But I used to love catching them as a kid. I’d cup them in my hands and then seperate my thumbs just wide enough to put my eye up to the hole and watch in light up my palms.
I think I did that too, probably until I squashed on my accident and had the glowing goo stuck to my hands! LOL!
Poor little firefly!
That article made me sad. I grew up in Michigan and my family moved to Tucson, Arizona. No more fireflies for us. We recently moved back and catching fireflies was one experience I couldn’t wait to share with my children. Happily tonight we were able to do that for the first time. I hadn’t seen this article until I found your blog while searching “fireflies”. I am definitely going to recruit the kids into being firefly scientist this summer. I am linking to your blog so hopefully more will see this.