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How to Chase Fireflies in Michigan

Fireflies are a beautiful part of warm summer nights, flashing their lights and floating in the air. In Michigan, the nights tend to get a little chilly even in the summer, but you can increase your chances of finding fireflies. Try walking in an area where the grass is undisturbed, the ground is moist and might even have some earthworms in it. If there are leaves, bark, wood lying around decaying, even better. Fireflies need a place to live and things to eat. Like mosquitoes, they also love a little pool of water.

Things You'll Need

Butterfly net
Jar with holes in the lid and moist paper towel in the bottom
LED flashlight

Instructions

- 1
  Spend some time in a likely firefly area at dusk on a warm evening. Don't disturb them, just relax and watch.
- 2
  Watch the grass as well as the air since fireflies are likely to emerge from or even stay in the grass.
- 3
  Respond with your flashlight when you see firefly light. Don't point it at them, but move it up and down or turn it on and off, trying to communicate as they are doing so you can draw them.
- 4
  Gently sweep the net to catch them when they are near and in the air. Collect them in the jar and put on the lid. Two people can do this easier together.
- 5
  Try experiments like seeing if they draw other fireflies as they glow in the jar.
- 6
  Release them as soon as you are done. They won't live long in the jar, and they have work to do.

Insects & Science