Fireflies

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Fireflies are beetles that have glowing abdomens and are quite spectacular to watch at night when they fly in "clouds". Many species of fireflies don't glow when they are fully grown, but all their larva glow. The glowing is caused when different chemicals in their abdomens react with oxygen. The fireflies that glow, use flashing patterns to find suitable mates. The colours that they glow in are green, yellow, orange and light red. They eat nectar and pollen when fully grown and mostly come out at night. They are found in summer because they hibernate through winter as larva and pupate in spring. They are carnivorous as larva and feed on slugs, snails and other larvae.

When I used to visit my Grandparents on their farm, we used to go catching fireflies on warm clear nights. We kept them in jars, but they never seemed to last the night and in the morning they would all be dead. A few years later we weren't able to see them as much anymore, maybe one or twice a year. Unfortunately, their numbers are also decreasing worldwide which is sad to see. I have also learned that not may people get to see them in their lifetime so it is really something to have a chance to see them.

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