"The Firefly Project seeks to enlist people across the state to log on to the Firefly website to report the occurrence of fireflies in their back yard throughout the summer, as well as record information about their particular habitat. The goals of this project are twofold. The first is scientific. The more data collected by citizen scientists, the more valuable it is to firefly researchers. The second is educational. The site will contain a lot of information about the natural history of fireflies as well as environmental factors within our control that may affect their populations." Some fun facts about fireflies from the Museum of Science: Some fun facts about fireflies:* there are about 20 species of firefly in Massachusetts* fireflies use their flash to locate a mate. Each species has avery specific flash, both for the male and for the female.* the males flash while flying. If the female is interested, sheresponds with a flash from a perch on the ground or low shrub.* One type of firefly can imitate the flash of other femalefireflies. She does this to lure i n a male which she promptly devours.* fireflies produce a toxin in their blood that makes themunpalatable to most predators.* the predatory firefly can not produce this toxin and must acquireit through her prey.* fireflies can not see the color blue. Therefore, a flashlight witha blue filter is ideal for observing fireflies undisturbed at night.
Thanks again to Gerry for the link!
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