Best state for fireflies
 

As a native Californian I've always wanted to see fireflies. And before my daughter gets to be my age, I'd like her to see them too. My mom, from Illinois, has wonderful memories of them. Any places and times where we're sure to see them?

Funny you are asking this now. I've been contemplating posting all day to ask if the fireflies are out in Chicago right now. We are going tomorrow, and I'm hoping my kids will get to see them. So, anyone? Are the fireflies lighting up yet?

Years ago, they would be around the bushes in the Harvard Medical school yard but no more(sigh!)
I'm tryiong to locate an old short story about a Japaneese young lady, who put fireflies in the back of her obi. Her love would chase her following the light emenating from the fireflies. It's an image that never left me.

I have seen them in Ohio and New York State. I live in Florida and I have not seen them here. You could buy a see through plastic container that is made especially for insect. Your daughter will enjoy catching them, seeing them light up in the container, letting them go and then watch them fly away as they light up. Fireflies are very entertaining.

Usually mid June in New York State. It's best to be out in the country, though!

Fireflies are all over my yard here in Alabama. I also remember seeing them at my aunt's house in Atlanta as a child.

I remember many nights, as a child in New Orleans, catching lightning bugs (fireflies). There haven't been any there that I've seen in years. In doing an internet search, it seems Tennessee and North Carolina still have them around May and June.

ahhhhhhh, memories.
I remember the fireflies of Dayton, OH on a summer evening.

There's two types of fireflies in Central America. One type we find here in the states that flashes. Another type flies in a straight-ish line while illuminating to attract a mate.

One of my favorite childhood memories too! They used to be all over the place in Georgia where I grew up, but many municipalities have enacted a severe adjenda to rid themselves of misquitoes (sp) and the lightning bugs have also disappeared. Surprise! We have them in Maryland 'burbs of DC in late mid- to late-June, if I remember correctly.

Good luck to you on your search. Every child (while they still have a sense of wonder and adventure) should experience these delightful creatures. What a wonderful Mom (or Dad) you must be to remember this for them.

Hi camcraw, I have no idea if this is still true or not but when I was a youngster we use to go to ClearLake CA for a couple of weeks every summer. I remember the fireflies like it was yesterday. Wonder if they are still there?

Lots of fireflies here in Westchester County, New York. In July and August, they entertain us with an amazing light show as they dance in the dark!

There aren't fireflies in California? Hmmm....I would never have thought about that. Neat.

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, and we had many many fireflies there!
:-)

I live in Austin, TX and we have dozens of fireflies in the yard right now. Fireflies are the only insect that I do not complain about, in fact, I quite enjoy their presence.

Missouri and Kansas have them, too. We don't have them in Colorado.

Sorry Orcas, the fireflies (I grew up calling them "lightning bugs") haven't made their appearance yet here in Chicago.

I grew up in Louisville, KY, and remember huge numbers of lightning bugs (that's what we called them, too) in early summer - definitely a highlight of my childhood. We lived in Pittsburgh in the early 80's and there were lots there, too. I don't recall seeing any when we lived in Oregon, and here in Massachusetts we see a few, but they are pretty sparse.

Whah! The kids will be disappointed!

If no fireflies, maybe you can scare up a good thunderstorm for us. Lightning is not quite as rare as fireflies in the PNW, but we never get the kind of thunderstorms that light up the sky like fireworks.

I found this cool website on fireflies. It says they are members of the beetle family and are rare west of Kansas.

http://iris.biosci.ohio-state.edu/pr...es/frfact.html

I've never seen fireflies in California, and I don't believe LoveItaly could've seen them at Clear Lake. I think he/she must be confusing memories of some more easterly locale.

Anyway, fireflies were a summer staple in south-central Pennsylvania 20 years ago at least.
but not this early, another month at least before they appear. since they're out now in Austin, but not Chicago, I'd say somewhere in the mid south would be best, Kentucky, Tennesee, Virginia, North Carolina. But anywhere east of the Mississippi and south of the Great Lakes and North of the Gulf Coast and west of the eastern seaboard should have them in abundance at some time during the summer months. As said, you'll see them out in the countryside, not in cities.

WHOA! sequoia. I believe Loveitaly because I saw the fireflies by my lab across from Harvard Med labs in Cambridge, Ma. I think pollution, and housing has almost eliminated them. I also see very few grasshoppers. What a shame, children can't see nature as when I was young.

Hi Sequoia, confused fireflies that I use to see at ClearLake CA. with somewhere easterly? Sorry, but you are completely wrong. I had never been out of California when I enjoyed the fireflies at ClearLake CA.

Believe it or not, I could care less what you think. Confused I am not. It is a memory that I have to this day. And I was a kid that hated bugs and insects. BTW, I am a she!

Thanks Mimi for your comment.

Now back to to the best state for fireflies. I sure don't know. Do not even know if they still can be seen in Clearlake CA. Good luck with your investigation of this camcraw.