I went outside this evening, admiring the fireflies, watching the fleeting pale blink of a slow low flying tiny species, noting the long swooping blink of a mid-level species and those high in the giant oak out front. Excited to see what looked like a synchronized blink across the whole lawn of another species. All the while seeing, for the first time really observing, the complex strata and strategies of the differing species. There are about 33 different species of Lampyridae in our state, each with its own species specific flash pattern. The Lampyridae of our state is a focus of one of the projects at work this summer, one steeped in controversy. Our state insect is a firefly, but the controversy lies in that the species listed as such isn't known to actually occur here. The study is a bit more involved than just going out and looking for the beast, but it certainly makes for an interesting story to instigate a research project. I was struck with a brilliant idea as I watched out on the lawn. I should collect some and bring them inside to set them free for Greenbean to play with! There are now at least a dozen floating and flashing in our darkened living room. What a spoiled kitty she is, we bring her live sparkling toys to get excited about. She is very happy, buzzing all around me, tail and eyes attentive and perked looking around for the next bug. Not that she knows what to do with one once she catches up to it, she is a naive cute indoor cat. And fireflies are tricky little bastards to catch! How did we used to do it with such ease when we were kids, quickly filling a jar. I got serious tonight. I brought out my insect collecting net and made short work of bringing them inside. I'll need to hone my firefly capturing technique for work :) %PHOTO{"http://denovich.org/gallery/deb/debface3"}%