Hobbies And Interests
Mating Rituals
Fireflies light up to attract members of the opposite sex and, less frequently, to defend themselves. Some firefly species exist where only one sex glows. More commonly, both sexes light up. Females usually wait in bushes, grass and trees and scope out the males as they fly around. Once a female sees an attractive male, she flashes a signal to him by flashing in a pattern. No one knows how the fireflies turn these flashes of light on and off.
Glowing Eggs
Female fireflies lay their eggs in the ground. Firefly eggs glow and have even flashed on and off when jarred. Scientists believe fireflies are omnivores, and some species eat other fireflies. Underground larvae, however, inject prey with a numbing fluid before eating them. Larvae mostly eat snails and worms. Larvae remain underground for about a year until emerging as adults.
Adulthood
The lifespan of an adult firefly is only about two months. Adult fireflies live long enough to mate and reproduce. During the daytime, fireflies stay on the ground. Once night rolls around, adults will crawl to the tips of grass blades and emerge out of hiding. Fireflies especially like long grasses, because they can hide and look for a mate more easily.
Firefly mysteries
Scientists have yet to discover certain facts about fireflies. For instance, no one understands the intermittent patterns of light flashed or how the insects regulate these flashes. Scientists also don't know, with certainty, what adult fireflies eat. It's speculated that adult fireflies eat a combination of pollen, other insects and plants. Because of their short life span, it's possible that adult fireflies don't eat anything.