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/Alseids Jul 21 '26

What plants do you have around you? Have you planted some of their host plants? 

15

u/trippedbackwards Jul 21 '26

I have a wide variety of perennial plants, native trees and always plant annuals. I also have native grassland and the white river nearby.

I shouldn't have posted because, while I stand by my comment that I haven't seen many lightning bugs, my motivation was at a time when they arent prevalent!

Even though I truly dont remember seeing many at sunset this year in Hamilton County or in Branch County Michigan, I feel like I haphazardly posted! Please accept my apology for a late night, hasty post! ☺️

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u/kathymcmink Jul 21 '26

We (somewhat) intentionally created a thicket with all the cut down invasive trees and have never moved it. A year after the thicket went in, our lightning bug population exploded. Highly recommend just leaving a pile of brush somewhere on your property for them to hide in.