My daughter was the complete opposite of me when I was younger. She is terrified of lightning bugs. She says they will bite her and run in the opposite direction if any come near her.
Lightning bugs will not bite, at least not us. Scientists do not know a lot about the feeding habits of adult lightning bugs. Some species are known to be cannibals, while others are thought not to eat. Most, if they do eat, eat pollen and nectar.
Scientists know that most species’ larvae are specialized predators and feed on other insect larvae, snails, and slugs, making them beneficial in the garden, especially if you have slugs.
Some other cool facts that you may not have known:
Lightning bugs are also called Fireflies, depending on where you live in the country.
There are around 2,000 species of fireflies in the world, and they live on all the continents except Antarctica.
The main reason lightning bugs glow is for mating.
Each lightning bug species has a different flash pattern, and some species do not produce light.
Lightning bugs are in decline due to habitat destruction, being captured for medical research, and light pollution interfering with mating signals.
Lightning bug larvae glow to warn predators away.
Both larvae and adult lightning bugs are poisonous if eaten.