The mystery of the light bugs that we celebrated so much as children

These little bugs would appear and everyone would play to grab them to put them in a jar or simply watch the darkness of the night suddenly light up.

I am referring to fireflies , which provide us with an extraordinary spectacle for a short period of time (approximately two weeks) with their luminescent bodies, which is due to the luciferian substance they carry under their stomach.

These insects belong to the beetle family and there are about a hundred species.

Their larvae live in the bark of trees and in burrows for up to two years while feeding on worms, snails and other wood insects.

After emerging from their hiding places, they turn to nectar and pollen for sustenance while residing in trees and plants; This change in diet allows them to produce a striking shine that makes them so charming.

They also begin to fly during this time as part of the reproductive process, although adults can only survive for another week afterward.

A way to attract the Female Firefly

Fireflies must find a partner to reproduce, and they do so by flashing their lights.

Those who have studied fireflies ‘ behavior say they turn their lights on and off to get the attention of other fireflies , sometimes even synchronizing all their lights at once .​

This creates an impressive spectacle when all the fireflies light up and go out simultaneously.

As children, we were captivated by the sight of fireflies, also known as “light bugs,” blinking in unison and illuminating the environment.

We were equally curious to know more about the fascinating source of light that they provided us every year during their mating season.

To satisfy our curiosity, we captured them and observed them closely, but to no avail. Then we placed them in a jar that served as an improvised lamp.

We achieved something that we were initially happy about, but when we heard the poem by Uruguayan composer Osiris Rodríguez Castillos, “Pena del Vidalitero,” our pleasure from the past was transformed into sorrow and remorse.

The poet wondered if his work was received as he had imagined or interpreted in the way he wanted it to be transmitted.

He stated «Other times, in gurí, I killed fireflies to see if my light was what they were hiding. Now I have luminous hands to eliminate innocent candor.

Then, this memory of killing fireflies brought back memories and I looked at my hands again with that same luminosity.

The passage of time, climate changes, the application of dangerous chemicals in agriculture and the overexploitation of forests and jungles have meant that today we see fewer species that were previously vital for reforestation.

This represents a great loss for both young and old who previously delighted in witnessing the grandiose display of nature through the presence of these bugs.

Environmental and naturalist groups are making strong calls for people to take care of firefly habitats.

This is because, during the larval phase, they can eliminate other insects that damage plants and later act as pollination agents for flowers, plants and food.

To ensure their survival, it is advisable not to cut or prune vegetated areas or use insecticides, as this could harm both fireflies and other beneficial species.

In addition, light pollution must be avoided, as it interrupts communication between them, which affects reproduction; When they light up it’s a sign that there’s romance in the air!

The “Light Bug” or “firefly” is an interesting insect with wings and its own defenses.

According to research by General Geographic, seemingly harmless fireflies actually have a deadly poison in their bodies, which can cause instant death if ingested.

Bats are equipped with a defense system that allows them to detect fireflies by the ultrasound they emit and avoid eating them.

The relationship between the firefly and the bat is intriguing because the firefly knows that the bat is its main predator, but since bats are blind, they can only find the firefly by following its ultrasonic sound that it emits to alert other animals of its inedibility.

Even if a bat decides to eat a firefly, it will suffer the same fate.