Fireflies in Flight

[ysabetwordsmith]

I found this cool article about fireflies.  I had not known that their larvae are predators, eating snails (good) and earthworms (not so good).  They are a lively part o the ecosystem.

Here at Fieldhaven we have a lot of fireflies, representing several different species.  I enjoy seeing them in the evenings as I'm wrapping up my yardwork.  They crawl out from under leaves and float into the air.  They begin flashing low to the ground or grass.  As the night progresses, they drift higher.  An hour or two after dusk, they are up in the treetops, a beautiful sight.  They are most fond of our prairie garden and will also drift over the mowed patches of lawn from surrounding greenery.  I have fun watching them.

So far I have observed...

Fireflies like:
grass between ankle and knee height
damp mud or mulch for moisture
open space dotted with bushes or tall weeds
open space edged by trees or bushes
mixed species of grasses and weeds/wildflowers
organic or wild areas with low chemical load
soft breezes and warm humid evenings
shady or dark spaces

Fireflies dislike:
grass cut to the ground, or over waist height
barren dirt or gravel
tall, dense brush or forest
lawn or field with just one species of grass or crop
areas doused with pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals
high wind or rain storms
dead calm, chilly temperatures, or very dry air
too much competing light

Further reading:
Firefly Facts
Firefly (Lightning Bug)
How to Attract Fireflies on eHow
How to Attract Fireflies to Your Backyard
Images of Fireflies