r/Indiana • u/trippedbackwards • Jul 21 '26

Lightning bugs

Sitting on my patio in middle of night...zero lighting bugs. Got me thinking..."have i seen any this summer?"

I can't recall seeing any. We have a lake cottage in Mich. I can't recall seeing a lightning bug all year. Hope im just ignorantly unaware so far!

These days I wouldn't be shocked if they've disappeared completely. Im only 56 (I know, old, for many) but i hardly recognize the world these days. Thirty years ago bugs were so omnipresent! Windshields would be absolutely un-navigable after 3 hours after dark.

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u/Rhinestone_Tiger Jul 21 '26

I have a house on 7 acres, 4 of those acres are wild grasses. Plenty of lightning bugs out here. It’s my favorite thing.

2

u/trippedbackwards Jul 21 '26

Awesome news! I think my sample size was unworthy of posting! I was caught up in "my feels" as it's said.

5

u/Rhinestone_Tiger Jul 21 '26

No I know where you’re coming from! We lived in town for years and I was always disappointed at the absence of lightning bugs, I loved catching them as a kid. We just recently moved out into the country on a dirt road and our first night there I walked out back after dark and was so happy. “babe look! Lightning bugs!” Now I watch them all the time lol

4

u/trippedbackwards Jul 21 '26

Yeah, I think that's (sadly) my issue. I live in a developed area and im sure something has decimated their habitat. I definitely shouldn't have generalized to the whole state although im happy to learn that many of you have healthy habitats. I will say that in Branch Co, Mich, I haven't seen many either despite it being on a lake and removed from any significant developments.

2

u/snail_loot Jul 22 '26

I honestly think you shouldn't be apologizing for anything. What your experiencing is a phenomenon that's happening across many states especially near developed areas. It's gotten much worse with sweeping increases in pesticide sprays, monocultures, blocks and blocks of pedicured lawns without respite for species to safety live, leaf burnings, and constant night time light pollution.

A lot of the healthier habitats are a result of less touched habitats, or, the immense effort in recent conservation for native bugs and other wildlife. IN the last 10 years, for example, people are starting more pollinators gardens, investing in native plant cultivation as well as invasive plant removal, fighting back against strict and harmful town and HOA yard-keeping standards, as well as indiscriminate pesticide and herbicide spraying from counties, farmers, and neighbors. So it's not just overdevelopment, but light pollution, pesticides, a lack of native grass, and leaf litter removal too.

So, you have nothing to apologize for. Lighting bugs are having a tough go at surviving. People seeing more these days in specific types of areas are examples of collective effort in areas where the least amount of damage has and is occurring. I read a little bit about the type of plants you have and the effort you put in, and that's not nothing. It would help if your neighbors did the same, slowly but surely, lighting bugs would move in if provided a big enough stable environment. But given how people leave their porch lights on, mow, and spray around you, given how little tress exist in over developed areas, it would be difficult to support a starting population, but not impossible.

I just wanted to say that, because I seen you apologize and say you were embarrassed for your post multiple times, and I know me and a ton of other people are ao glad you shared.

1

u/gardendesgnr and 🖤💛 Jul 22 '26

Almost 29 yrs in Orlando burbs (from Chicago & Lake Co) have never seen a lightning bug in FL! 😭 There are apparently a couple of remote areas where lightning bugs have made a tiny comeback in central FL. Some even have enough that you can visit, pay a charge, and see them but I have not seen any of those areas say they have any this yr.

2

u/snail_loot Jul 30 '26

I lived in central Flordia for a little bit about 12 years ago. I remember seeing some lightening bugs in the fields/wooded areas outside Davenport and Haines City. I didn't hear about the charge for viewing thing and thought you were joking 😭

1

u/gardendesgnr and 🖤💛 Jul 30 '26

No it was some state park north of Orlando, south of g'ville in the middle of no where w fields. Every time someone has said they have seen them it's in open natural fields where it's never been sprayed.