Lightning Bug or Firefly. What do you call them?

[We Never Know]

Always lightning bugs. Sometimes just for fun... butt lighters lol

What do you call them?

Some Americans say 'firefly' while others say 'lightning bug,' and a series of maps highlights an interesting theory why

In the United States, glowing insects are known as "fireflies" or "lightning bugs" depending on where you live. There's an interesting theory to explain why the two competing terms emerged, and it has to do with the natural surroundings of the two regions.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I've always used both terms...Living in Illannoying in Lightning Bug territory

 

[McBell]

Lightning bug

My five year old grand daughter calls them light butts.
I told her "close enough".

 

[Quagmire]

I always call them individually by their name.

 

[McBell]

I always call them individually by their name.

What if you wanted the attention of the whole herd?

 

[Quagmire]

What if you wanted the attention of the whole herd?

I would just use the lightning bug/Firefly call app on my phone.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Firefly.

 

[Stevicus]

I've heard and used both words on various occasions, although I think I've heard "firefly" more often. I haven't really counted, though.

 

[Quintessence]

I call "where are you?" and "what happened to you?" I hardly ever see them anymore. They were all over when I was a kid.

See:

Fading lights: Multiple threats to North America's firefly populations

Scientists have applied a data-driven approach to understanding firefly population dynamics on a continental scale. Key findings from this new study indicate that fireflies, part of the beetle order, are sensitive to various environmental factors, from short-term weather conditions to longer...

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[McBell]

I call "where are you?" and "what happened to you?" I hardly ever see them anymore. They were all over when I was a kid.

See:

Fading lights: Multiple threats to North America's firefly populations

Scientists have applied a data-driven approach to understanding firefly population dynamics on a continental scale. Key findings from this new study indicate that fireflies, part of the beetle order, are sensitive to various environmental factors, from short-term weather conditions to longer...

www.sciencedaily.com

Something I remember vividly from my youth is fields covered with millions of fireflies/lightning bug.

My family would drive for hours out in the boonies (away from the city lights) just to find the huge open fields where they would flicker the night with their lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted, lighted, unlighted tails.

 

[JustGeorge]

Lightening bugs.

 

[We Never Know]

I call "where are you?" and "what happened to you?" I hardly ever see them anymore. They were all over when I was a kid.

See:

Fading lights: Multiple threats to North America's firefly populations

Scientists have applied a data-driven approach to understanding firefly population dynamics on a continental scale. Key findings from this new study indicate that fireflies, part of the beetle order, are sensitive to various environmental factors, from short-term weather conditions to longer...

www.sciencedaily.com

I agree. They don't seem to be as numerous as they used to be when I was a kid. June bugs are another one.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I've always used both terms...Living in Illannoying in Lightning Bug territory

Me too. The border appears to have drifted south since my days.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I agree. They don't seem to be as numerous as they used to be when I was a kid. June bugs are another one.

I could not say myself. The last time I saw them was when I lived in Minnesota. I have never seen them in western Washington. And that is a pity.

 

[We Never Know]

I could not say myself. The last time I saw them was when I lived in Minnesota. I have never seen them in western Washington. And that is a pity.

Probably because they aren't native there. So there's that.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Probably because they aren't native there. So there's that.

Yes, I do not think it is due to man's doing at all. They just do not live here and I miss them.

 

[HonestJoe]

Serenity.

 

[Tamino]

Glühwürmchen! (Literally: little glow worm)

 

[SalixIncendium]

It doesn't really matter. They rarely listen when I call them.

I usually have to sneak up behind them and put my hand under them so they land on it. Then we can have a chat.

 

[Viker]

There's Steven, Jill, Duke and Maria. I can't find Bob. He's the "special" one. He gets lost easily.