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Return to the Insects Forum | Post a Follow-Up

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Lightning Bugs

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Posted by mechelle_m (My Page) on
Tue, Oct 7, 08 at 0:52

Anyone have any info on attracting and rearing lightning bugs? They seem to have disappeared from the landscape.

Mechelle

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RE: Lightning Bugs

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Modern American landscapes and maintenance practices do very little to encourage lightning bugs, that's for sure.

To entice them back into your yard, be sure to stop all pesticide use, especially those targeted to the lawn and soil (where the larvae live). They like cool, shaded locations, so allow for some overhanging shrubs and decent shade trees. It is said that light pollution affects them, as well, so you may want to turn off and outdoor lighting t hat remains on all night long.

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RE: Lightning Bugs

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We see fireflies in our yard every summer. They can often be seen during the daytime perched on the leaves of our everbearing raspberries. At night they fly around the back yard, where they seem to prefer a section of lawn that is tall and lush. We don't use "weed 'n feed" or anything similar on the lawn-we avoid anything toxic so the dog is not exposed when she is on her run. Also, we have a maple tree in the front, which sheds leaves in the fall. I rake them up, shred them with the mower, and distribute them around the back yard, most of them going down as mulch around the everbearing raspberries. I have read that fireflies like to live in leaf litter, so it could be that the thick layer of shredded leaves helps them survive and reproduce. We see lots of other insects in the yard, so we might have a source of whatever fireflies prey on living in our yard, as well.

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RE: Lightning Bugs

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Insects are dependent on native plants for survival, they usually can't live on just any plant in the yard. If your yard doesn't offer them you won't find many or any the insects. Do some research, find out what the wee beasties need, try to provide it and hope for the best. Good luck!

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RE: Lightning Bugs

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There use to be a lot more around my home but not so much anymore.at least the ones that light up. I'm not sure why. I remember millions of them as a kid in Iowa. I'd go back tp visit there just to see them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lightning Bugs

  
 

 

 


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