Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

_Bee_Dub_ t1_itxs4yf wrote

This summer was one of our best years for lightning bugs in my central PA area.

They’re underground now.

89

WookieeSteakIsChewie t1_itzck9q wrote

Here too. The tree line in my back yard looked like Christmas trees with all the lightning bugs. I loved it.

16

JenAuntie t1_ityzh18 wrote

Immaculate lawns are the reason. Lightning bugs need somewhere to live in the yard. When you weed and feed, spray for weeds and remove everything like dead leaves and flowers, they don’t have anywhere to live. I have lots but my neighbor with a lawn like carpet doesn’t.

46

devilspeaksintongues t1_itxs830 wrote

I had quite a few in may and june. They're very delicate and susceptible to pesticides, light pollution, pollution, etc. Also lawns. Everyone has lawns cut to like 1/2 inch which js incredibly unhealthy for biodiversity. Short grass isn't good for fireflies. If you let your grass grow in certain areas itll provide a nice habitat for then. They like humidity.

40

enemy_of_your_enema t1_iu0j65a wrote

Lawns of any length aren't great for biodiversity. Our lawns can basically host pillbugs, worms, and ants and that's pretty much it.

Also, many insects require lots of leaf litter or plant debris on the ground for laying eggs or overwintering. So you can make sure you have lots of habitat for them by leaving leaves on the ground.

4

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu0oqjh wrote

Absolutely. Lawns are a fucking plague to America. They're fucking stupid.

People need to realise native weeds and plants are essential to your local ecosystem and help promote healthy habitats for the buggos. Weeds are not bad, a lot of them are edible and extremely healthy. Learn how to identify.

8

Lil_Phantoms_Lawyer t1_iu0t8gp wrote

Lawns are stupid, until they aren't. It would be better for nature and probably even prettier to have trees all around your house with lots of thick bushes. But that would wear away on your roof, your foundation, and your siding a lot more than just having an open space with short grass.

2

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu1d5le wrote

Well there are plenty other options. Firstly, you shouldn't plant anything, even shrubs close to your house. But you can create hedgerows with them instead. Or designate areas for trees, shrubs, plants etc.

If you have the land, then that ain't an issue. But if you have a town house or something, just having native plants is great for the pollinators, and birds.

Lawns are stupid. Regardless. Mulch is a better option, at least stuff wants to live in it.

2

Lil_Phantoms_Lawyer t1_iu1fblf wrote

But that's the thing, sometimes you don't want to encourage things to live near your house.

1

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu1ieqg wrote

So grow them away from the house, or pot them. If you choose to have a lawn, just put the plants in pots. Then you can move them around.

1

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu0oy3j wrote

Absolutely. Lawns are a fucking plague to America. They're fucking stupid.

People need to realise native weeds and plants are essential to your local ecosystem and help promote healthy habitats for the buggos. Weeds are not bad, a lot of them are edible and extremely healthy. Learn how to identify.

2

Flimsy-Lie-1471 t1_itx4byu wrote

It’s pretty late in the year for them.

32

ObjectivePretend6755 t1_itxbi6p wrote

Never too late. We were digging through snow and semi frozen ground to make a bonfire pit one night in January and kept finding these glowing bugs under ground. Took a close up look at one and guess who we found? Our underground allies the lightning bugs. This was in Frederick County Md.

−19

bad185 t1_itx4gfb wrote

Over the summer, I had tons in my backyard in Central PA. My sister was in from Colorado and was so excited because she hadn't seen them in so long!

30

Dredly t1_itxkcyv wrote

They are rapidly losing their habitat and light pollution

23

bambi_beth t1_itx5hp9 wrote

Here in Pittsburgh I think they have been better the past two years. We try to keep an eye out!

22

mira_lee2 t1_itxotnw wrote

I saw a bunch, nightly, in Pittsburgh, but it was earlier in the summer. I haven't noticed any lately.

6

James19991 t1_ity294p wrote

They're usually only common in June and July, but I saw a good bit in Pittsburgh this year too

8

Binindatrap t1_itxp3bt wrote

question answered "catch jars full"

13

Scrungo_Mungo t1_itx8xbf wrote

Yeah I’m from Gettysburg and just moved to Bucks co. 2 months ago, this past summer saw fuck tons on the battlefield:)

11

brynhild90 t1_ity4yuh wrote

It is late in the year for them, but the main reasons are chemicals people use on lawns as well as intense light pollution. I believe they nest underground over winter, so when people use chemicals for “weeds,” it hurts other living things. It is happening to many insects but there have been recent studies about lightning bugs in particular. Very sad :(

I always encourage people to not use chemicals if I’m able to even though I’ve been called “tree hugger.” A weed is only a weed because people call it that. For invasive species of plants, there are other options to remove them. There are also less hurtful options as well. Roundup is the worst. It’s sad but unfortunately it will probably get worse as more developments spring up constantly and there are so few areas with native plants and no chemicals.

9

vortical42 t1_iu0200b wrote

While I generally agree, when it comes to invasive plants, things aren't always so simple. There are quite a few species (lesser celandine is a prime example) where the alternative options to chemicals have their own downsides. If you remove them manually, any bits of root left behind regrow and spread the problem. Putting down a physical barrier kills everything and can cause lasting damage to the soil.

There are no good options so sometimes you have to go with the least bad. Much as I hate the idea of using herbicide, I would rather do that once every few years than let an invasive plant choke out everything in its path.

3

brynhild90 t1_iu0uja3 wrote

Thank you—I am not an expert and I’m still learning! I just hate roundup and I don’t like seeing everything labeled a weed lol. But I do understand what you mean and I appreciate you replying as I’m still learning about gardening and soil/plant health. Do the organic herbicides like Captain Jacks help with these situations or do you have to use harsher ones?

1

vortical42 t1_iu0x5ua wrote

I'm really not familiar enough with the subject to say for sure. The factors you have to look at are effectiveness, environmental persistence, solubility, and side effects.

If the organic solution is only 75% effective, you run the risk of ending up with resistance over time. If the organic solution contains chemicals that persist for months or years that is also bad. One of the good things about roundup (afaik) is that it breaks down quickly after application. Where and when the solution is applied matters as well. If the site is on a hill or near a watershed the chemical needs to be safe for aquatic life. If it is something that affects pollinators, you don't want to apply it while the plant is in bloom.

If you want some better information, check out https://youtu.be/ZgsBzEelZJY . He tests a bunch of different methods and gives an overview of what was effective.

1

300blakeout t1_itxe07q wrote

I’ve seen plenty in my yard in central PA.

8

Fit_Anteater6793 t1_itydame wrote

The Massachusetts Audubon Society is conducting a research and asking for the public's help to submit data if you see any fireflies. Some ways you can encourage them: do not use harmful pesticides on your lawn, turn your outdoor lights off, keep your grass long and the leaves on the ground for them, and plant native pine trees in a dark area for them to lay eggs. You can also stack some wood for them to lay eggs on rotted wood. They also love moisture, so if you wanna go the extra mile, you can install a water feature like a pond if you have the means to do so. It is very sad that there are not as many as there used to be, so please do not capture them.

7

firesidepoet t1_itxw20y wrote

I had tons in my yard this year! I keep my grass long for them

6

jurble t1_ityjc2x wrote

for most of the 00's and '10s, they completely disappeared around me. I saw a good amount this summer though, not as many as in the 90's though.

6

freshlyfoldedtowels t1_itz73b3 wrote

Neighbors use grub killer on their lawns. Kills the firefly grubs. No fireflies.

6

vrosswog t1_iu1q2u4 wrote

The grubs are actually Japanese beetles

1

Griff82 t1_itxs0di wrote

We’ve had good numbers in this part of NEPA the last few years.

5

usaf_photog t1_ityy8td wrote

I was visiting home in central PA and I saw so many fireflies out at night, it was impressive. So maybe it depends how much light pollution is in your area.

4

Capital-Giraffe-4122 t1_itxnhs9 wrote

It was a good year for them relatively speaking for us in the PA Philly suburbs. They've been scarce for years

3

Kaelixz t1_itz3ylm wrote

Central Pa, had tons of them in the yard

3

princeoinkins t1_itz95l5 wrote

Weird, we had a ton in southern PA this year (we usually do)

3

egJohn t1_itzdu20 wrote

it's almost November

3

calicoskiies t1_itzrfur wrote

Really? I feel like I saw more this year than ever & I live in the city.

3

PensiveLog t1_itz765b wrote

We jacked up the environment.

2

emseefely t1_itzlgld wrote

Leaves the leaves and you’ll see a better bug and bird population

2

atomicgirl78 t1_itzrn6l wrote

Here in Berks County they were plentiful! Loved watching them rise from the cornfield when the corn was short.

2

DrSilverthorn t1_itx3368 wrote

Interesting you should ask. I saw one lonely lightning bug earlier this week, and was wondering where the others were.

1

kwell42 t1_itxpmnl wrote

We had plenty. My kids filled many jars.

1

devilspeaksintongues t1_itxsnza wrote

Please dont catch them, and please leave them alone. If you had jars full, that means you had jars full of fireflies that wont reproduce and just die for human enjoyment.. this is very harmful to their conservation...

15

kwell42 t1_iu3ore9 wrote

There are so many! I really doubt my kids have a statistically significant impact on reproduction cycles.

Edit... Being that you think you don't have as many because of my kids, maybe you should consider every city has too many lights for their tiny lights to be significant and go after led companies. They likely have a significant impact on the life cycle.

1

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu5bo97 wrote

Everything plays a part. I'm not necessarily saying its YOUR kids. But say if your neighbours kids are doing the same then their neighbours, etc..

All I'm saying is dont catch them. Just cause theres a lot of them doesnt make it right, or make them less significant. They're some of the oldest creatures on earth, I think over 350 million years old. Show them some respect. Enjoy with your eyes. They're alive too and deserve to be here just as much as you and I.

There are lots of people but we dont go around catching people and putting them in cages just for fun (I guess this does happen in some parts of the world however.)

1

kwell42 t1_iu67gml wrote

They only live a few days whether the kids catch them or not. Do you walk around ants and spiders too?

1

devilspeaksintongues t1_iu69xiz wrote

I do, actually. I do everything I can for any bugs. They are a special interest of mine. Especially spiders. I keep spiders in the corners of my house and let them catch the little flies and shit. I say hello to the one near the door when I get home, and goodbye when I leave.

To me, a human's life is no more or less important than an ant.

1

Avesolate t1_ityr1s0 wrote

I remember seeing some this summer

1

OxygenSherpa t1_itz8f7g wrote

If you turn your outdoor house lights off when they are around, it seems you will get more in your yard. I guess they are attracted to darkness so they can "talk" to each other?

1

No-Setting9690 t1_itzac4e wrote

Weather was jacked this year, other things do affect it though. I still had plenty this year, but those few weeks with the intense heat then humidity, I didnt see many.

1

VaggPounder t1_itzamsb wrote

I actually noticed the rapid decline around 2000. Me and my sister would catch a "jar full" back in the 80s at my Grandpa's farm on any rainless summer night. There are many nights now where I don't see a single one!

Maybe a question for the Ph.D. entomologists out there --- but do Spotted Lanternflies compete for the same food sources as lightning bugs? Might explain why the fireflies are being weeded out.

1

worstatit t1_itzgcp5 wrote

They seem to come and go. Haven't related it to anything specific, but one year they'll be everywhere here, a couple years later I'll be asking your original question. This year was pretty good for them.

1

Keinichn t1_itznpne wrote

Victim of the ongoing insect extinction event most likely. Insect levels are down across the board everywhere compared to previous decades.

1

Gold_and_Lead t1_itzqu1y wrote

We had a lot this summer but not as many as usual. We live on almost 5 wooded acres with a pond and natural spring/natural barriers. I was surprised to not see more. My favorite.

1

Smoking0311 t1_itzscy5 wrote

I started ripping up my lawn and planted a meadow and other natives. I ended up with more lightning bugs and butterfly’s then years past

1

mbz321 t1_itzt67e wrote

..It's October, almost November, for one.

1

WaxDream t1_itzt8v5 wrote

Lawn chemicals.

1

rubikscanopener t1_itzu0wb wrote

It wasn't a peak year where I live is SE PA but it was a decent one. Some years are better than others.

1

EventideLight t1_itzuada wrote

PA Wilds region had tons of them this year. Granted we are also in the dark skies region, and lightning bugs mating habits are damaged by light pollution. Light pollution is getting worse across Pennsylvania and as it does it is conceivable that lighting bug populations will decline.

Photo I took of them flying around a hay field in Cameron County. https://i.redd.it/hktgf5yxnl791.jpg

1

Aes_Should_Die t1_itzv8iv wrote

What happened to bugs, period? You ever notice that there is barely any bugsplatter on windshields anymore? It’s because there are a lot less bugs then their used to be. And before anyone says more aerodynamic cars, keep in mind that would mean rain drops would not splatter either.

1

Ct-5736-Bladez t1_iu02m0g wrote

Might be too much light pollution? I’m not an expert at all this is just a guess

1

lexispots t1_iu06fb3 wrote

In Westmoreland County during the summer months, it looked like a rock concert with all the flashing. Maybe they prefer a more rural area?

1

jasons_jukebox t1_iu0z7h5 wrote

Had a ton in the Philly 'burbs these last few summers

1

[deleted] t1_iu1336t wrote

Pesticides, we pull their homes (weeds), etc.

1

Altruistic-Rip4364 t1_iu1hinh wrote

I always know when it’s mid summer. Fireworks and lightning bugs. My 100% favorite time of year

Beaver county here

1

randompittuser t1_itzedi1 wrote

https://www.worldwildlife.org/press-releases/68-average-decline-in-species-population-sizes-since-1970-says-new-wwf-report

I hope everyday that we can stop treating climate change as a political hot button issue. But when I have relatives that won't switch to renewable energy suppliers in order to save money on their bill, because it's "green energy", I lose a bit of that hope. Fight over abortion, believe that the election's stolen, unlimited guns, whatever you want.. but can't we please treat climate change seriously?

0