Surrounded By Fireflies
They were a reminder that even the smallest wonders can make the world feel infinite. - Stella D., USA
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of seeing fireflies. There’s something about them, those tiny, flying lightbulbs, that captured my imagination. I always wondered how a bug could have a lightbulb - how cool! When I was in elementary school, there were cartoons with bugs with a lightbulb on their rear and I wondered… do they ever have to change them? Do they ever burn out?
Many years into adulthood, after moving to the east coast I realized I was in prime firefly territory. This was my moment - the moment to head out on a roadtrip and find them! I couldn’t explain why, but the thought of them twinkling in the night felt like a piece of magic waiting to be found. One summer evening, we were driving on a highway, on our way to a park known for its firefly display. I could feel the anticipation building up in my chest. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something—just a fleeting flicker. Was it real? Or was my mind playing tricks on me? I kept staring, my heart racing, and there it was again: a twinkle. Then another, and another. Each time, I couldn’t contain the excitement. It was as if I’d finally found the magic - the magical world of fireflies. When we reached the park, the sight was even more magical than I had imagined. Fireflies filled the air like stars in the sky. I couldn't help but think that we were swimming in the universe itself, surrounded by stars. The twinkling lights were unpredictable, each one appearing out of nowhere, flickering for a brief moment before disappearing again. They were a reminder that even the smallest wonders can make the world feel infinite.
In that moment, I realized something profound: we’re small in this vast universe, and yet, we can still feel awe-struck, we can still feel like wanderers in the universe surrounded by stars.
More about fireflies from the Wonders Team
Fireflies are beetles. They are bioluminescent which means they produce and use their own light. They do this with special cells that combine oxygen with luciferin in their abdomens to make light and then light up the ends of their abdomen. Their lights can be yellow, green or orange. So, they don’t need a light bulb or have to worry about changing them! Each firefly has their own unique pattern of flashing which is used to find and communicate with a mate. Adult fireflies only live one to three weeks so their light show is their last hurrah.
Fewer fireflies are being seen year after year. Some of this is due to increasing light pollution where the light interferes with their ability to signal to each other and find each other resulting in decreasing populations. Additionally, pesticide usage and loss of habitat considerably affect firefly populations. Consider minimizing nighttime light pollution and pesticide usage if the magic of fireflies is meaningful to you.