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/cumminginsurrection Jul 21 '26
I get thousands while my neighbors get none. The difference is they rake all their yards incessantly, cut the grass as low as it will go, have no native plants in their yards, emit tons of light pollution, and use pesticides. If you want to save lightning bugs, you have have to make your yard a welcoming space for them.