# Where are all of the fireflies/lightning bugs this summer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 21, 2007, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804 "2007-06-21T03:20:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/21 "2007-06-21T22:02:38Z")
Fireflies are one of the few things I miss about living in the rural Midwest. I had an apartment there that backed next to a soybean field and the display over the plants in the summer evenings was amazing. Even my California-bred husband was impressed. Apprently they do need humidity or something, because we don’t get them out here. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/22 "2007-06-21T22:02:51Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] There’s a theory that the little buggers are going extinct, due in part to anti-mosquito measures. [/QUOTE] Well, in western Pennsylvania we’ve been seeing fewer fireflies and mosquitos. The mosquito decline I’ve been crediting to my bat population, but the fireflies? ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/23 "2007-06-21T22:29:15Z")
Central Indiana, and I haven’t noticed them flashing in the evening, but I have seen them during the day. Maybe I’m not watching close enough. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/24 "2007-06-22T01:44:51Z")
Whew. I just drove twenty miles and splatted a dozen lightning bugs on the windshield. My fears of their demise were exaggerated. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/25 "2007-06-23T01:41:08Z")
Ah, how I miss those carefree days of Illinois summers, running around the backyard chasing after fireflies… In Las Vegas, we just get fires. On the upside, we have had far fewer crickets in the backyard this year (thank you thank you thank you) and only a few bees. Then again, it is still early summer so that could all change with one quick rainfall. Oh, and in Las Vegas we don’t have humidity, poison ivy or mosquitoes…three things I DON’T miss about Illinois summers! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/26 "2007-06-23T02:18:41Z")
I have noticed the same thing. A lot fewer fireflies. To make up for it there seem to be a lot more houseflies. Like Amityville Horror type numbers. Not a good trade. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/27 "2007-06-23T04:07:41Z")
Peeking out back, there are plenty of fireflies in the wooded area out back (St. Louis MO area). And yesterday in a late evening stroll on Belle Isle in Richmond VA, there were swarms of 'em in among the trees. So, I’ve seen no particular lack of 'em this year. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2007, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/28 "2007-06-23T14:08:49Z")
They first appeared around here about 6 weeks ago. That seemed a little early. Since then the population seems real light. Just a few every evening, certainly not the dozens we often get. The rest of the bugs & birds seem about typical, so I’m betting the FFs are going to emerge en masse here soon. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804/29 "2007-06-25T12:06:59Z")
[QUOTE=Loach] I have noticed the same thing. A lot fewer fireflies. To make up for it there seem to be a lot more houseflies. Like Amityville Horror type numbers. Not a good trade. [/QUOTE] Could be worse. Like locusts, or lice. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-all-of-the-fireflies-lightning-bugs-this-summer/408804.md?page=1)