Flickering Flashing Fireflies
By Lucia Del Duca & Miles Jaffee
Meet The Firefly
Ready to learn about fireflies?
Step this way.......
Fireflies are insects! And there are over 100 kinds of them!
Lots of fireflies!
When scientists say there are 100 kinds of firefly… they mean there are 100 species. Of them!
Do you know the names they've earned from being the only insect that glows? Larva:glow-worm.
Adult: lightning bug,and firefly!
larva
adult
Just like any other insect,fireflies have 3 main body parts-head,thorax,and abdomen.
They have tiny eyes and looooooong antennae.They also have wing cases,wings,and 6 legs.And fireflies aren't flies-they're beetles!
firefly diagram
World Of Fireflies
Most firefly larvae live in rotting wood or leaf piles near streams. They live mainly in Turkey,Oregon,and Canada,but they actually live almost everywhere!
Super Change
Fireflies have 4 stages of life:egg,larva,pupa,and adult
life cycle
A four stage change is called a Complete Metamorphosis!. Check it out.
EGGS: Fireflies hatch from eggs-and get this...-the eggs glow!
Here are the eggs!Can you see them glowing?
LARVA:These glow, too, and it's earned them a nickname,too:glow-worms.
And their glow-worm period is the longest-up to 2 years! In late fall,the larvae dig a hole in the ground and become PUPAE,which don't move,
pupa larva
and then ADULT,which is the most famous stage!
Munch, Munch!
Did you know that firefly larvae are eating machines?Chomp,munch,gobble,snarf,chew...
After they hatch,firefly larvae need food to grow.
larvae eating its dinner
Most adult fireflies don't eat anything.
But the ones that do usually sip nectar from flowers. Firefly larvae hunt for food.They eat things like worms,slugs and snails.And females sometimes eat males! Ick!
Firetection And Defenses
Fireflies live a rough life. Toads,insects,spiders,lizards,and some birds eat them.
predators
Bad-insect-prevention sprays kill fireflies,so please don't use them!
Some fireflies have a defense: :-a toxic defense.Animals might recognize a poisonous firefly and leave it alone.
Helping Hands
Are fireflies helpful or harmful?They are helpful.They are a natural light.Gardeners like fireflies because they eat the insects that eat the garden.
Fireflies also give light to people who can`t see in the dark.
Fireflies are also helpful to scientists,who are trying to find out how they make a light that stays cold.
Flash Facts
1.Adult fireflies die soon after mating.
:)
2. Every firefly has its own special flash.
._.. ..._.
Special flashes are like Morse Code!
3. A firefly's light comes from nitric oxide(N3 O2).
n3 o2 fireflys light
Bibliography
Fireflies,by Susan Ashley (c)2004
Firefly,by Stephanie St.Pierre (c)2002
Fireflies!,by Leya Roberts (c)2000
ABOUT the AUTHORS
Lucia is 7 years old. Lucia loves to go and catch fireflies!
Lucia has a dog, a cat, and 2 hermit crabs!
She is in Mr.Auerfeld's class!
Miles Jaffee is 8 years old.He likes to ride his bike.He lives at 39 Hampton Road.His favorite snack is Pota