Microphotus Augustus is a nocturnal glowworm firefly found in California and other areas of the southwestern US, including Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. This guide focuses on the species from the Southwest region, which are less noticeable compared to regions like the Midwest or East Coast where fireflies are often seen lighting up the summer nights. Contrary to popular belief, California is home to 18 firefly species (soon to be 19), while Florida has about 56 species. Fireflies are usually found at elevations where fir trees outnumber pine trees.
California is home to about 2, 000 species of fireflies found worldwide, with 164 found in Mexico. Most fireflies do not put on spectacular nighttime shows. There are several species endemic to the West Coast, including Baja California, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada. Nanacamilpa has become a hot spot for firefly tourism, helping to spur economic growth in this chronically poor region. Entomologists have known about fireflies in the region for a long time, but they are rarely seen and are difficult to find.
There are 325 glowing firefly sightings on file so far, with specimens collected from 18 of those sites. The best place to see fireflies is in the Great Smoky Mountains, where they are extremely active between May and June, depending on the soil quality.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Where are fireflies commonly found in California? | While there are seemingly fireflies in California, mostly in Southern California, they do not glow, or do so only faintly. I have been in … | quora.com |
| TIL that there are actually fireflies all along the west coast … | I’ve seen green glowing fireflies in the mountains where I grew up in Northern California. They’re weren’t common, but you could usually … | reddit.com |
| Guide to Fireflies of the Southwest | by A Walker · 2024 · Cited by 1 — There are quite a few species endemic to the West Coast (including. Baja California, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada) so there … | fireflyatlas.org |
📹 Be Careful if You See one of These! #shorts
Be Very careful if you find one of these rocks on the beach..
Where Do Fireflies Live?
Fireflies are enchanting insects found all over the world, except for Antarctica. According to Pfeiffer, they thrive along the eastern U. S. coast, from the Mid Atlantic down to Florida, Texas, and even in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Their preferred habitats include temperate and tropical forests, wetlands, and areas that offer moisture, such as marshes, meadows, and forests bordering bodies of water.
These soft-bodied beetles, part of the Lampyridae family, are also known as lightning bugs or glowworms due to their ability to emit light, mainly during twilight to attract mates. This bioluminescence is believed to have originated as a warning signal for their larvae. Fireflies typically inhabit humid regions, particularly in Asia and the Americas, but certain species can also be found in drier areas, provided they are near moisture-retaining environments.
Fireflies are generally seen from spring through summer evenings, creating a magical atmosphere. There are around 2, 000 documented species, each with varying preferences for habitat and moisture levels. They are known to feed on plant pollen and nectar, while their larvae benefit from abundant food sources found in wet areas.
In summary, fireflies are present in diverse environments, thriving in lush, warm climates but also making their home around moist areas in drier regions. They are a delightful spectacle for many who encounter them during summer nights, embodying the beauty of nature's nighttime display. Their habitat choices range from tidal marshes to desert river canyons, demonstrating their adaptability and essential role in various ecosystems across every continent but Antarctica.
Do Fireflies Glow In California?
California fireflies, while present, differ significantly from their counterparts in other regions, particularly as many do not exhibit the bioluminescence commonly associated with fireflies. The glow that fireflies produce is a result of a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase, taking place in specialized cells in their abdomens. Traditionally, fireflies have used their light to deter predators, but this function has shifted primarily toward attracting mates.
Despite the absence of flashing lights, California fireflies engage in mating rituals utilizing pheromones. Not all species in California are luminous; many are described as being "bachelors" due to the lack of light. The insect family Lampyridae, to which fireflies belong, comprises over 2, 000 species, most of which can emit light, but many do not do so in California—specifically, light-emitting behavior is more prominent east of the Rockies.
Fireflies, also referred to as lightning bugs, are nocturnal insects in the beetle order Coleoptera, characterized by having four wings. In California, some species like the California pink glow-worm show minimal glowing, primarily among the flightless adult females, who emit a very faint light while on the ground. This glow is often barely perceptible to humans. Interestingly, fireflies do exist in areas like San Francisco, but they lack the iconic flashing behavior typical of their eastern relatives. The reasons for these differences in behavior and visibility remain unclear, though they may involve environmental factors and the species' adaptations.
Are There Fireflies In California?
Fireflies do inhabit California, although they are rare and elusive compared to regions east of the Rockies. There are currently 18 known species in the state, with a potential 19th recently discovered in Los Angeles County by a student. In contrast, states like Florida boast around 56 species. The scarcity of fireflies in California is primarily due to their reliance on native snails in damp habitats, which are limited across much of the state. Consequently, suitable environments for fireflies are few, resulting in small populations where they are found.
California’s fireflies inhabit diverse settings, including meadows, forests, and even urban areas. However, unlike their eastern counterparts, California fireflies do not produce the characteristic light flashes. This lack of bioluminescence is believed to be due to evolutionary factors, possibly related to geographic barriers like the Rockies, which hindered certain species from migrating westward. Additionally, fireflies on the West Coast tend to be diurnal, being active during the day rather than at night.
Recent discoveries and ongoing research highlight the presence of species such as Brachylampis blaisdelli, Ellychnia californica, Microphotus angustus, and Nelsonphotus aridus. Despite their non-glowing nature, these fireflies remain a magical sight for enthusiasts who are willing to seek them out. Climate change and human activities pose potential threats to their habitats, making conservation efforts crucial. While spotting fireflies in California requires more effort and patience, their existence serves as a testament to the region’s unique biodiversity.
Where Can You See Fireflies In Florida?
Blue Springs State Park in Florida is a popular location for firefly viewing, thanks to its swampy, wetland environment. Visitors can obtain a pass to stay after dark to enjoy the natural light show, as fireflies thrive in warm, moist areas near water bodies, with Florida hosting 56 species. Rural settings and state parks are prime locations for spotting these insects, particularly after sunset in late spring and summer. Experts highlight that Oakland Nature Preserve near Winter Garden will announce firefly sightings.
The Florida intertidal firefly is also notable, living in the coastal intertidal zones of salt marshes and mangroves along Florida's coast and some Bahamian islands. Blue Springs State Park, located in Orange City, is approximately 35 miles north of Orlando and is well-known for its brilliant manatees, as well as seasonal firefly displays.
Where Do Fireflies Live In San Diego?
Luminescent fireflies, commonly called lightning bugs, have been sighted in several Californian mountain ranges, such as the Santa Monica and Laguna Mountains in San Diego, as well as on the southeast slope of Mt. San Jacinto and at upper Lytle Creek in San Bernardino County. These nocturnal insects belong to the Lampyridae family and prefer humid, wet habitats that support their food source, snails.
With over 2, 000 species identified, most of these soft-bodied beetles are capable of producing light. While fireflies can be found in various locations across California, they thrive in moist environments, particularly near rivers, creeks, and riparian areas.
The San Diego Zoo features the "Firefly Forest" exhibit, allowing visitors to learn about firefly biology while enjoying the spectacle of these creatures illuminating the night sky. Despite California’s diverse habitats, it is not as conducive to firefly populations as other regions, with only a few species like Photuris lucicrescens present. Fireflies in California are primarily found in humid, wooded areas where they can be active briefly after dusk, though they may differ in behavior from those found in other states.
In total, California has identified 18 firefly species, but it notably lacks the species that exhibit the characteristic flashing behavior; this phenomenon is typically observed in species residing east of the Rocky Mountains. Nevertheless, fireflies can be discovered in the state, often remaining in their larval forms in moist environments, and are seen for only a limited period each year.
Are Fireflies Bioluminescent?
Bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to produce light through chemical reactions, has independently evolved multiple times among bioluminescent animals, including various beetle groups like fireflies. Fireflies, with over 2, 000 to potentially 2, 400 species globally, showcase a stunning display of bioluminescence each summer, illuminating evening skies with vibrant shades of green, yellow, orange, and blue.
This light production occurs through a reaction involving luciferin, a chemical substance, and luciferase, an enzyme, within specialized abdominal organs. Fireflies' bioluminescence is nearly 100% efficient, contrasting markedly with the mere 10% efficiency of incandescent bulbs.
All known firefly species exhibit bioluminescence during their larval stage, known as glowworms, tracing back to a common ancestor from around 100 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period. Mature fireflies use light displays for communication, particularly in mate signaling, often synchronizing their flashes with other individuals. While most bioluminescent organisms inhabit environments like caves or deep-sea habitats, fireflies are primarily active in terrestrial ecosystems. However, their populations are threatened by worsening habitat conditions, which could lead to fewer firefly sightings in future summers.
Bioluminescence is not exclusive to fireflies; it’s also observed in bacteria, fungi, fish, and other insects, although some firefly groups utilize chemical signaling with pheromones instead of light. The widespread occurrence of bioluminescence across diverse taxa highlights its ecological significance and the intricate interplay between chemistry and biology that enables such natural light displays.
📹 Butterfly Effect: Can Monarchs Avoid Extinction?
Why are monarch butterflies disappearing? You may know them for their amazing transcontinental migration, but over the past few …
my 3rd grade class had two “pet” monarchs. The teacher found a few caterpillars outside, put them in a little habitat that was regularly stocked with fresh milkweed from where they were found, and we watched them grow into the chrysalis stage. Two butterflies, a male and a female emerged, and we all submitted names to then vote on. The kids ended up choosing my submission for both sexes separately – Superman and Wonder Woman, lol. Once they finished priming their wings, we released them outside behind the school. One landed on my shoulder before departure. That was 25 years ago, and a beautiful experience that I wish today’s children could have. To see such a fragile little thing of beauty fly into the sky and know it was probably going to fly to Mexico…all the way from New Jersey.
Here in Pennsylvania there are thousands of miles of roads that are clipped, mowed and chemically treated to look like manicured lawns. In earlier years these areas and medians were filled with native flowering plants, especially the species of milkweed that Monarch caterpillars preferred and where adult Monarchs layed their eggs. There is no reason why huge areas can’t be planted with milkweed and other native plants using the money that is now being spent on mowing etc. Taking this cost effective step would have a major impact in helping the Monarch population to grow significantly while saving the taxpayers significant amounts of money as well. If other states would do the same, Monarch numbers would explode in a few short years.
Here in Virginia we have common milkweed, which spreads underground, and can provide a lot of habitat quickly. Swamp milkweed is good for wet areas, but also can be grown in places other than swamps. Butterfly milkweed is well behaved and shorter in stature than both of the other two species. These are the three most common species I see here in the mountains of Virginia.
Our skies here in southern Colorado used to turn orange with Monarchs. Unfortunately the Dept of AG sprays the sides of the roads with RoundUp killing all of their food. The spray drifts for miles over fields and forests killing all of the foods our bugs, bees, and birds rely on, leaving these poor creatures to fall out of the air crashing to their deaths. It’s been sad to see. I’ve been protesting to deaf ears for decades. What have we done and how can we recover? Not seen them in years.
This article is awesome! I visited the Butterfly Vivarium at the AMNH with my family at the Glider Center in April 2023 and Summer 2023 and it was awesome! It had all my favorite butterfly species from the monarch butterflies, tiger swallowtail butterflies and painted lady butterflies of North America to the blue morpho butterflies, Queen Alexandaria’s birdwing butterflies and postman butterflies of South America. I also loved the live chrysalises/pupas it kept too for the butterflies to emerge from. But I wish it had live caterpillars/larvae for all the butterfly species from the vivarium as well, including the ones I just mentioned eating their host plants (Including milkweed and parsley and thistle plants for monarch, swallowtail and painted lady caterpillars and before becoming chrysalises to become the adults. The downstairs Insect Lab does have some silkworms however eating mulberry leaves before some of them changed into pupas and became silk cocoons which will be moved to the tent where the atlas moths live in the Butterfly Vivarium where the domestic silk moths will emerge from their cocoons and live there too.
Is there anything special that people has to think about when planting milkweed plants other than not using pesticides? I mean, to have a habitat that really helps the butterflies should I have many many of them or just a couple is enough? I have a very small space where I can plant flowers and milkweed can grow big
As kids we hiked up this gravel pile, (laid down during the Last Ice Age) in the middle of the Susquehanna Valley back in the 60″s. Otego NY. There was a migration of Monarch butterflies heading south. Regular “river or carpet” that skimmed the peak of that gravel pile. Stretched for miles. Me and my brothers along with some cousins were in the middle of a “Blizzard” of them for the next say half hour. From time to time would see them still head both North and South.
The most crucial factor for monarch survival is water, they flock to wet fields like the edges of watered irrigated farms, but that water is toxic because of pesticides …….. They wont swoop down in most watering dishes because they are too small to attract them, farms need to be regulated and wildlife protected, because we can’t exist without esrths biological processes, period
Pesticides… Have you look at the milkweed population? In Canada the milkweed is now only found mostly in areas around large culture like corn and soya. These two culture uses herbicides and neoconioïde a lot. Some farmers now even clear this small band of nature with herbicide to cultivate that extra 2 ft around the fields. Some along roads where after the butterfly emerges get kill by cars or the area gets mowed. It’s not a few plants here and there in the gardens that will change much the current decline. We need to have more wild areas untouched where milkweed is present and less pesticides. All the insects are in decline everywhere and most of it is probably related to the usage of neoconioïdes. I live in a large forested neighborhood on a mountain surrounded by fields of corn and soya and I have look at the decline of insects in the last two decades.
Thank you for exploring this situation. Milk weed is so important to them and millions of cities around our nation destroy Milk Weed in the name of landscaping and beautification. We’ve know about this issue for at least 10 years, probably a lot longer. Bees are also dying because the Roundup people spray all over twice a year, and city / children’s parks are doused with it all the time.
This is interesting. In the rural areas of the San Joaquin Valley, I’ve seen and still see monarch butterflies flying around in the wild. It is sad that into thousands of them are left. It’s likely that the ones from the San Joaquin Valley make their way to the coast through canyons and such since they fly up to 3000 feet in altitude.
They are naturalised in Australia. We call them Wanderer Butterflies. The theory is that sometime before 1900 they were blown across from South America and were able to thrive. It’s possible that previous arrivals had not been able to thrive because introduced food plants had not reached sufficient numbers. I saw one yesterday or today in the yard, it’s so NOT a big thing that I can’t remember which. I don’t know if speciation has started to happen.
my thing is is I just don’t like insects in general even though I absolutely find them fascinating and respect them as an important part of the environment but butterflies don’t fly in a straight line they kind of lope and loop and they kind of loop near me and I freak out a little bit on that but I like t0 hike so we make it work and share the trail
Do any if the programs fracture the land. Much in the way that countries like Ireland and Scotland sell 1 Sqft of land to thousands so that it would be nearly impossible for a developer to reach all owners and purchase the land for money making schemes. Land fracturing just seems like a more permanent method of keeping land preserved than government or private protections.
Just imagine if we stopped paying people to fight with other paid legal and legislative fighters to try and force other people to do things they don’t want to do with their own land, and pooled our money to buy our own land and manage it how we see fit. But then the paid fighters wouldn’t be making money or have an excuse to rub elbows with political power.
What do you mean that there’s no scientific distinction between butterflies and moths based on genetics? Last time I checked, butterflies are a true monophyletic clade within Lepidoptera. Yes, “moths” are not a monophyletic clade separate from “butterflies,” in that the monophyletic clade of butterflies is embedded within the larger clade of Lepidoptera. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a phylogenetic distinction, or that butterflies do not form their own monophyletic clade. Forgive me for questioning the expertise of Dr. Jessica Ware, but I’ve never heard of a contemporary biologist who disagrees with the idea of drawing distinctions between groups of organisms based on phylogenetic monophyly. The entirety of the field of evolutionary biology, including contemporary systematics and phylogenetics, is based on monophyletic classifications. Preferring a phenetic perspective over a phylogenetic perspective might have impressed Linnaeus, but it’s not impressing me.
Here, I’ll guess at why the Monarch butterfly is dying out before perusal the article… they are part of nature and the repeating cycle of life-death-death-life. If the Monarch butterfly is disappearing as well as others in nature, then that cycle is interrupted or broken. The question is then, what is causing the death of the flora and fauna on the planet? 🫵