Fireflies/lightning bugs

[gritsar]

Quote:
I grew up in Florida and NC. In Florida we had what we called lightning bugs. They have their "lights" on their heads. The fireflies have their "lights" in their tail end. At least that's how we distinguished the two. Don't see as many as we used to.

 

[airmom1c05]

MS lightnin' bugs have tail lamps, or so my daddy taught us.

I don't recall seeing a version with headlights.

 

[airmom1c05]

http://www.backyardnature.net/lightbug.htm

Here is a lightning bug link! Cool!

 

[gritsar]

What we called lightning bugs (aka click beetle):

Those oval areas on their heads is where the light comes from.

 

[lacyloo]

I love click bettles, very fasinating

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

It seems that if they are in Michigan, we should have them here, maybe it a south and east thing, maybe when I move, I will have to move south, I have been thinking about it, it would be cool to catch them, lol.

 

[airmom1c05]

Oooh! I'm familiar with those, but I never noticed their lights. I think I only saw them in the daytime. When my son was in grammar school, once upon a time, a long, long, time ago..... there was an entomologist in our neighborhood whose son was my son's age. He was forever bringing insects and bugs into my house to teach my son since my son's dad died when he was two yr. old. Anyway, it "bugged" me because I frankly don't like them in the house! Sissy Chicken, I know. Now I'm more acclimated to my woodsy surroundings and a teensy weensy bit less skittish. The only ones that didn't bother me back then were ones my daddy had taught me about when I was in grammar school. I remember in particular the fascinating walking stick bug or insect and the praying mantis. I don't like Palmetto bugs (giant flying roaches) or beetles in my house. We won't even talk about giant spiders. When my first husband died, I shamelessly had my precious two yr. old deal with spiders, lizards, and skinks that were forever coming inside all the while hypocritically encouraging him to be brave. Shameless. I know. Finally I had a man come recaulk every window and apply new weatherstripping to all the doors. Eventually I broke down and hired an exterminator. Peace! Finally! Praise the Lord! Click beetles actually made a clicking sound as I recall and the ones we had/have are much larger, but those "eye" rings. Yes! I remember those. Spooky!

 

[Pelican49]

We sure had them when I lived in Minnesota. Lots of them here in Oklahoma.