The Not So Lonely Firefly

The Catch And Release Project

This is a video of us catching, observing and releasing fireflies. We hope you enjoy our video, especially if you do not have fireflies in your area. We have been learning from my Twitter mates in Australia and amigos in Mexico that the areas they live in do not have fireflies. As a matter of fact, our friend down under, has never had the "pleasure of seeing one."

We dedicate this video to them.

Disclaimer: No fireflies where hurt before, during and after the taping of this video. We adhere to a strict firefly policy of catch and release.

The Firefly Saw A Light... But It Was Not Another Firefly

A book that we enjoy over and over again with my boys is Eric Carle's The Very Lonely Firefly. The book is about a little firefly that could not find other fireflies. It went around looking for lights, but all it could find was flashlights, cars, and even an owl. Until the end when it finally finds another firefly. In the last page of the book the fireflies light up. It is such an enjoyable book and I always love watching my little guys' eyes and faces light up when they see the fireflies at the end. We also enjoy reading the book called Fireflies. The kids in Fireflies catch fireflies just like we've been doing this spring.

Fireflies? No, It Was Two Little Boys

As I mentioned this spring we have been catching fireflies. We have learned how docile and how delicate they are. We have also researched fireflies and their disappearing habitats. Fireflies need humid and plush wooded areas to thrive. Their larvae need lots to eat. They are called glow worms or as my 5 year old calls them "glue worms". Some glow worms also emit light to ward off predators. Their light signals predators that they taste bad.

How Do Fireflies Make Light?

Light production of fireflies is due to a chemical reaction called bioluminescence. This process occurs in a specialized organ of the firefly that exists in its abdomen. If you have a little scientist that studies chemical reactions and the periodic table like I do, this is what he might want to know. The enzyme luciferase acts on luciferin, in the presence of magnesium ions, ATP (adenosene triphosphate) and oxygen to produce light. They do this amazing little chemical reaction so they can attract a mate.

Glow Worms In New Zealand

Thanks to the Internet we also got to take a virtual field trip to New Zealand where they have glow worm caves. It turns out that the glow worms in New Zealand have adapted to glow so they can attract insects and food into their sticky webs.

How Can You Attract Fireflies

Would you like to create your own Firefly habitat? You need an environment with an area where fireflies can thrive. Fireflies need a lot of moisture such as little depressions where water can collect and wooded areas. For more information about this, consult the Firefly.org site. On this site you will also learn how photogenic these insects are.

More Firefly Fun

These sites will give you some ideas of what you can do in your classrooms or homes to study fireflies.

• Learning Ideas for The Very Lonely Firefly Book
  
• Friendly Fireflies Craft
  
• Firefly Games and Crafts
  
• The Very Lonely Firefly Book by Eric Carle
  
• Fireflies Book
  

Catch fireflies in this cute firefly shirt from Modern Moppet.

The Not So Lonely Firefly