Andrea here, August is the middle of summer here where I am in New England, and all the iconic elements of the season—long, lingering sunlight, sultry afternoons, that carefree mood as Labor Day, the signal that things will button up as work and school take precedence over play, is still over the horizon—are at their peak. (But with a book deadline looming at the end of the month, I am, perhaps, a little less carefree than some people!)
Anyway, I happened to see an article in the New York Times the other day saying because of a wet spring and warm summer nights, it’s a banner year for fireflies . . . which got me to thinking about childhood summers, and how the magical flashes of fireflies were a source of delight and wonder were a special joy of the season. I think most of us went through the ritual of catching fireflies in a jar and taking them back to our dark bedrooms to watch this mystery of Nature excite us again and again. So I thought I would take a closer look at the firefly and how its allure has captivated human for eons! (Here is a fun TED talk on fireflies that’s posted on YouTube.)
The oldest known fossil, discovered in Burmese amber, dates back 100 million years, and the evidence suggest that they were already giving off bioluminescence. Their light is created through a chemical reaction in the abdomen of the firefly—oxygen combines with the firefly’s luciferase enzyme, and chemicals luciferin and adenosine triphosphate to create the flash of light.
The flashes are part of how fireflies attract mates. Males uses specific patterns to attract females, who in turn react with their own set of flashes. The light is also a warning certain predators that fireflies are toxic, and thus a protective measure as well.
Naturally, such magical creatures have played a part in legends, folklore and mythology in many cultures around the world. Not surprisingly, they have been associated with ghosts and spirits.
In Amazonian cultures, the fireflies were seen as a gift from the gods, bring hope and guidance. Fireflies (known as Hotaru in Japanese) are also a part of Japanese culture, as certain species were linked to the spirits of fallen warriors. They are also a symbol of Love. It’s no wonder that Japanese art features a great many depictions of their luminous beauty. A less pleasant association developed in Victorian times, when some people believed that if a firefly got into the house, someone was going to die soon.
Another really interesting fact is that there are only two places in the world—Southeast Asia and Great Smokey Mountains National Park—where a phenomenon known as simultaneous bioluminescence occasionally takes place—which means all the fireflies in a certain are light up at once. (That would be quite a show!)
After reading the article, I’ve gone outside after dark the last few nights, and sure enough, I’ve seen that summertime flashing of tiny sparks, which really made me smile. Those tiny wonders of Nature are a heartening reminder that though we humans are making a muck of so many things these days, the breathtaking grandeur and wonder of the world around us is a joy to behold.
So what about you? Did you love fireflies as a kid? Any specific ritual you had for catching or keeping them?
What fun, Andrea! Like all kids, I delighted in seeing the flash of fireflies, but I never tried to catch them, I just let them fly free. (They are, after all, BUGS!) Typically they appeared in the heavy aired heat of late summer. I’d love to see that simultaneous flashing! Interesting that it takes place only in two widely separated places.
Ha, ha! Bugs didn’t bother me. I loved the mystery of bringing them back into my dark bedroom and feeling I was an exotic adventurer exploring some faraway land. (Evn back then I was making up stories!)
Andrea- I read your post about the mystery of the fireflies for your bedroom and I automatically attempted to post a “caring” emoji as if I were on Facebook. I remember them so well, but I guess I don’t run around at dusk enough anymore for I have not seen any in an age.
My quick research did say habitats are shrinking (as they are for so many species.) I still see them around where I live . . .in fact, I’m looking out my writing room window and seeing a few flashes in the dark . . .which is making me smile.
When the fireflies arrive in late summer, they are indeed magical visitors. I adored them as a child, but their appearance was always tinged with sadness. August meant that the end of summer was near. September and school and all that loomed on the horizon. Of course, that may be why the sight of them is so precious.
True, August came all too quickly, Lil! But I think you’re right in that fireflies were only out for a limited time, and that made the fun seeing them even more special.
What a lovely post, Andrea. I experienced fireflies for the first time as an adult and found them magical even then!
The wonder never grow old! For me, fireflies are a wonderful the reminder that Nature’s infinite beauties, however small, are all around us if we keep our eyes and senses open to them.
I have only ever seen fireflies in Japan! We don’t have them in the UK and although apparently they exist in southern Scandinavia I’ve never come across any. I was fascinated when I saw them too – so pretty and atmospheric!
How interesting that fireflies aren’t in the UK! Maybe the summers were not warm enough for them to develop . . . but that seems to be changing over the last few years.
From what I’ve read, they are very beloved in Japan.
What a fun post, Andrea! Does bring back memories of summer as a child. Ah, the sights and sounds of long ago summers! We watched the fireflies in fascination in the still of the evening(we didn’t know what a luxury that was back then!). We caught them in jars to take inside and watch up close, but then let them go. It was a distinctly summer activitiy and made us smile and laugh. It certainly was a magical time!
So glad you enjoyed the same wonder and joy at watching them, Jane. Magical really is the best word for it.
I was happy to see a few this summer, for the first time in a while-I guess the wet spring explains it. They do best in unmowed grass, and there’s not much of that around here, with everybody having a manicured lawn!
That’s so true about the manicured lawns, Karin. I’m sure that’s a big part of the shrinking habitat. It’s a shame more kids don’t get to experience the summer magic of fireflies. It’s one of those moments that really brings home the wonders of Nature. We all need that more than ever these days.
I miss them and wish they would come to Southern California! We lived in Omaha, Nebraska for a few years when I was a child and seeing the fireflies was one of my most favorite summer activities. Thank you for bringing up that wonderful memory!
Linda, so glad to have stirred wonderful memories. If you experienced fireflies as a child, I don’t think that sense of wonder and delight ever dims!
Oh I loved fireflies as a child. I still do. Of course, I thought they were fairies. That’s the thought I still keep in my head!
We don’t have fireflies here in Finland, we have glow warms! Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to see one in years.