One of my favorite things to do on a summer night as a little girl was to catch fireflies and put them in a fruit jar. My brother and I would compete to see who could catch more before we released them back into the night. I never thought much about the use of fireflies except for the fun of chasing their light and catching them.
According to an article on fireflly.org, fireflies are disappearing all over the world. Scientists are not sure of the reason for their disappearing, but researchers blame land development and light pollution. Most species of fireflies live in rotten wood and near ponds and water. They tend to remain in the area where they are born.
The problem is our open fields and forests are being developed and paved over. As their habitat disappears, firefly numbers dwindle. Light pollution is believed to interrupt firefly flash patterns. Scientists believe the flash of fireflies get out of synch with car, home, and streetlights. This makes it difficult for fireflies to signal each other during mating, contributing to fewer fireflies the next season.
We may think that the fireflies’ only purpose is to entertain us during the summer season. However, according to scientists, fireflies can save lives. Luciferase and luciferin are chemicals fireflies use to produce their light. This is used in research for the study of cancer, diabetes, allergies, gastric inflammation, and other harmful diseases in humans.
As we have learned from research, even the little firefly is beneficial for human life. It is believed that the reduction of habitat and increased lighting may be making fireflies rarer. Fireflies bring light and sense of magic to our summer night. Our summer nights would be a little darker without the magic of the lightning bug.
Banana Nut Bread
1 1/2 cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 bananas, very ripe
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups self-rising flour
1 cup chopped nuts
Cream oil, sugar, and eggs. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Pour batter into pans and bake for 40-45 minutes in a 380° oven. Summited by Judy Long, Gordonsville FCE Club.
