Fireflies (Lightning Bugs)

These amazing insects are also known as fireflies in many parts of the world, even though they’re neither fires nor flies!

Lightning bugs aren’t actually bugs at all — they’re a type of beetle belonging to the family Lampyridae!

Scientists have discovered over 2,000 different species of lightning bugs across the world!

A group of lightning bugs is sometimes called a glow or swarm, as they light up the night with their twinkling flashes!

Lightning bugs can be found on every continent except Antarctica!

The average lightning bug lives for about two months as an adult, but their entire life cycle from egg to adult can take up to two years!

Most lightning bugs are only about 0.5 to 1 inch (12–25 millimeters) long, about the size of your pinky fingernail!

Baby lightning bugs are called larvae, and they actually glow while still in their eggs!

Lightning bugs spend about 95% of their lives in the larval stage, living in the soil and eating small insects and slugs!

Lightning bugs have three main life stages: egg, larva (also called a glowworm), and adult!

Lightning bugs create their light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which happens in a special organ in their abdomen!