The Mystery of the Firefly

Every once in a while during our decade-plus sojourn in the Upper Midwest, I’d wonder where all the fireflies were. Because it always seemed that I rarely saw them. I don’t know if that’s peculiar to the Twin Cities area, or Minnesota, or the Upper Midwest more generally, but it just seemed like there were very few fireflies (or, as we called them as kids, lightning bugs). I’d assume that I was imagining that phenomenon (or lack of one, I suppose), except that on moving back to Pennsylvania I was struck once again by how we can watch the fireflies dance every summer evening. They’re everywhere and always something of a mystery and delight.

Which is why I was so glad to come across this fourteen minute TED Talk by biologist Sara Lewis who explains some of the mystery of fireflies without losing the wonder of their warm, fragile, and evocative light. In fact, Lewis’ curiosity and delight is downright contagious and what she has discovered about the “hidden lives” of fireflies is at turns informative, intriguing, and occasionally quite surprising. Adorned with wonderful pictures, Lewis’ Talk is a great way to spend a few minutes in the heart of summer and perfect preparation to go out tonight to see some for yourself.

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