Fireflies - Nature's Silent Fireworks

Did you know that Indiana's State insect is the Say's Firefly? It's true; Gov. Holcomb proclaimed it 2018. It is named after Indiana's own Thomas Say from Posy County. The Say Firefly, also know as the Angled Candle Firefly, was first named in 1826. Thomas Say was considered the Father of North American Entomology and lived in New Harmony, Indiana. Fireflies not only lights up the night sky; they also loosen soil allowing oxygen and and water to penetrate. Fireflies are not flies nor true bugs' they are beetles. The lightning bug is toxic to some insects but not to spiders, frogs, and some other insects. Normally the males flash their light to attract females that are in the grass or foliage for mating. Although not all fireflies flash, considering there are about 43 species in Indiana, one might observe several species while looking over the night landscape. Synchronous fireflies found in the Smoky Mountains flash their lights in unison. It is a way for the females to be certain they are responding to their own kind. Firefly larvae are often called glow worms and flash on the ground. The light produced by the firefly does not produce heat, so no energy is wasted. This production is called bioluminescence. Glowing insects are nothing new in nature. There are glowing fungus, fish, shrimp and even gnats that produce heat free light without loss of energy. It is the scientist's job to figure out how this light production can be used in the future to benefit mankind.