This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide
I always know that summer is in full swing when I see flickering fireflies dotting the lawn come July. Even now, well into adulthood, they make me feel like magic is possible. And, just as we are a bit more inclined toward romance in the summertime (skinny dipping anyone?!), fireflies are similarly inclined – those flickering lights are a key part of a mating ritual that brings them together on sultry summer nights. The male, it seems, is “flashier” than the female. He cruises the night sky, flashing his light to advertise not only that he’s available, but what species he is as well (some signal a double flash every three seconds, others do a short flash that repeats in ten second intervals). Females flash as well, but only once – and from a perch – signaling the male to come over and pay a visit. Once the male finds the female, she checks him out to make sure he’s the guy for her, and if he passes the test, she flashes again. Once they mate, she will lay her eggs the next day. Two to four weeks later, the next generation arrives.
If you are lucky enough to live in a region in which "lightning bugs" thrive, stay up late one evening with your kids (or better yet, without), and capture some of their magic in a jar.
FIREFLY JAR
Materials:
1 clean large jar with lid (a mayonnaise jar is perfect!)
1 awl or nail
Hammer
With awl & hammer (or hammer and nail), punch 5 or 6 holes in your jar lid.
Race around yard, catching fireflies in your jar. When you capture a few, screw the lid back on and be mesmerized by their twinkling glow.
Release fireflies after 15 or so minutes.
Fireflies are in fact, not flies at all, but beetles from the family, Lampyridae, from the Greek word “to shine.”
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