Article content continued

If you have a chance, take a walk by the Rideau River at dusk, especially a wooded part like near Vincent Massey Park. So many fireflies sometimes the trees seem to glitter. — David Reevely (@davidreevely) July 30, 2019

In Lanark County, former University of Ottawa ecology professor Paul Keddy said his home is surrounded by the little glowing bugs too.

The reason: They have more to eat this year. More food means more fireflies.

“Both young and adult fireflies feed on snails, slugs, worms and soft-bodied insects including the larvae of other bugs like mosquitoes. Some adults don’t feed while others eat pollen and/or nectar and are therefore considered a pollinator,” says the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

The wet soil conditions this spring led to a surge in population of many of these little slugs and worms, and the result is more well-fed fireflies.

Fireflies are not flies. They are actually beetles, and the bugs you see flying are the adults. The glow comes from a chemical reaction that takes place in their abdomens, which is usually a signal to attract a potential mate.

Different species — we have about 15 in our area — give off different patterns of flashes, and even different colours of light ranging from green to yellow to amber.

The best place to find fireflies is generally in wet areas on a warm evening, and they won’t last all summer long.

Some fireflies are sneaky: The female Pennsylvania firefly gives off a glow as fake sexual signal imitating the species that it wants to ambush and eat.

Another note from the Canadian Wildlife Federation: “While drawing attention to themselves can be dangerous, they contain a chemical causing them to taste bad even in the young stages. The light alerts those that have tasted them in the past to steer clear.”

Fireflies are also known as glow worms and lightning bugs.

tspears@postmedia.com

twitter.com/TomSpears1

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

Province delays cuts to long-term care after pushback

Somerset ward power outage causing traffic snarls

Two men charged with auto theft in separate incidents