Firefly Watch

Via Firefly Watch Update, e-newsletter:

By Don Salvatore
Museum of Science
fireflywatch@mos.org

Greetings,

Although firefly season is still going strong in many parts of the country, it is just about over in my backyard. This was one of the worst firefly seasons I can remember, and yet I heard from many people that this was one of the best seasons in recent memory.

It is interesting to think about what might cause these regional differences. During summer 2007, I saw more fireflies than ever before. However, the fall was very hot and dry and I didn't see any larva. Dr. Cratsley, one of our researchers, said that the drought could have an effect on the firefly population in two years, when eggs laid in 2007 would be adults.

New England has also had an unusually cold, wet summer this year. Evening temperatures were in the 50s for the first half of June -- not good firefly weather. Of course, these are just guesses as to why my firefly numbers are so low this year. Now I have to devise an experiment to gather data to support or refute my guess. After all, that is what science is all about.

IN THE NEWS

Firefly Watch Goes to Washington Firefly Watch has been getting a lot of great press lately. Newspapers and radio stations around the country have been asking for information on the project to pass on to their audiences. Last month, Don Salvatore did a firefly program for the National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. which was reported on by both the Washington Post and National Geographic Kids.

In the news- Firefly Watch goes to Washington:

Firefly Watch has been getting a lot of great press lately. Newspapers and radio stations around the country have been asking for information on the project to pass on to their audiences. Last month, Don Salvatore did a firefly program for the National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. which was reported on by both the Washington Post and National Geographic Kids.

Firefly Watch has been getting a lot of great press lately. Newspapers and radio stations around the country have been asking for information on the project to pass on to their audiences. Last month, Don Salvatore did a firefly program for the National Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. which was reported on by both the Washington Post and National Geographic Kids.

Dolly's Note: Still haven't seen any fireflies in the Tampa Bay area for several years. Is anyone in the Bay area lucky enough to have spotted fireflies recently?