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There were lightning bug larvae out on the ground ready to start their spring eating in Gallatin County as recently as Wednesday.
The little glow worms by now have probably burrowed down into the ground with the dramatic temperature drop overnight. It is just one more example of the strange late-season warm temperatures we have enjoyed this winter that have caused trees to bud and daffodils to sprout early.
The larvae are easy to spot at night with their soft green glowing on rocks or leaves. Stomping around or making a racket will prompt them to glow. Even the eggs of lightning bugs glow in response to vibration.
You can learn all you ever wanted to know about lightning bugs and why their populations may be in trouble at the Web site for the Firefly Project.
Brian DeNeal grew up in the hills of southeastern Illinois and spends as much time as he can exploring the hollows, bluffs and creeks that draw tourists from throughout the Midwest. He is a staff writer for The Harrisburg Daily Register/The Eldorado Daily Journal and sits on the River to River Society board of directors. You may contact him via e-mail at the address bdeneal@ yourclearwave.com
