It has come to our attention that we have fireflies again. We have noticed in the last few years that there have not been any around our area.  One out of three species of fireflies are being officially listed as critically endangered.  To help make a comeback, install a water feature in gardens and allow logs to rot in the area.  Fireflies spend up to 95% of their lives in the larva stages.

Fireflies also known as lightning bugs, are small flying insects that become prominent in summer, particularly between late May and early August in much of the United States. Their activity is most noticeable during warm and humid evenings, making summer nights magical as these luminescent beetles illuminate the darkness. Factors such as cooler temperatures or heavy rainfall may slow their flashing, while dark areas provide better visibility for them to communicate with one another. The ideal viewing season typically spans from late spring, around the third week of May, to the third week of June, although fireflies can be seen in warmer southern regions from May to November. 

In my research about fireflies, I have decided that our weather is the reason for the lack of fireflies around here, because of the lack of rain that we have had in the spring for a few years.  I remember catching them and putting in jars and running around in the dark.  You know, I don’t think I even realized that they were not around until they came back this year.  I need to watch things closer I guess.  Anyway, we are glad they are back.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)