Thread: A rare sighting!

For the first time in years...

Something rare happened.

A light shining in a dark place...

Deep within my red navel orange tree.

There it was...

A lightning bug!

Flashing in all its glory.

What a relief to see these guys recover after such drastic population declines.

Welcome back to my yard you cool little creatures!

There were a few here in Arkansas last summer, first time i could remember in a long time. Any idea what happened?

Dad and I used to stay up and watch them when I was little, I thought it was the best thing ever, they remind me of when it was just dad and I and no one else, I got lots of memories regarding those little things

I saw several up in Clarke County when I was up before daylight to hunt turkeys.

We have alot in the early summer here in Oklahoma

Originally Posted by Rich1

There were a few here in Arkansas last summer, first time i could remember in a long time. Any idea what happened?

Yes. There was and is a combination of factors, such as bug sprays and other problems--but the largest culprit in declines in recent decades is street lights.

The female (and males) are attracted to lights--which Is how they communicate for a pairing off when flashing their own lights.

Problem is, street lights end up being a brighter flash and they fail to find each other once hovering around them and a failed breeding opportunity means no fertilized eggs, means no future populations of lightning bugs.

Now, they are typically only seen in remote areas which have no street lights, and even then it's not like it was before where hundreds would light up a yard when we were kids.

I am so glad to see them this close to the city, I got chills seeing that bug last night. Maybe next the Monarchs, mantises, and dragonflies will make comebacks too.

Maybe Foley will quit spraying, as it never kills the intended bug--the mosquito.

Originally Posted by Viking Guy

Yes. There was and is a combination of factors, such as bug sprays and other problems--but the largest culprit in declines in recent decades is street lights.

The female (and males) are attracted to lights--which Is how they communicate for a pairing off when flashing their own lights.

Problem is, street lights end up being a brighter flash and they fail to find each other once hovering around them and a failed breeding opportunity means no fertilized eggs, means no future populations of lightning bugs.

Now, they are typically only seen in remote areas which have no street lights, and even then it's not like it was before where hundreds would light up a yard when we were kids.

I am so glad to see them this close to the city, I got chills seeing that bug last night. Maybe next the Monarchs, mantises, and dragonflies will make comebacks too.

Maybe Foley will quit spraying, as it never kills the intended bug--the mosquito.

I learn somthing new everyday! Now I'm glad our city doesnt spray for mosquitos.

That is almost as rare as seeing a Viking Guy; where you been?

I was gonna say the same thing Fin.

no shortage of them around here. we even have synchronized lightning bugs in the mountains.