Fireflies in the daytime

There are at least a couple thousand kinds of fireflies found throughout the world. Almost all of them live in temperate and tropical environments. They sometimes are called lightning bugs, and they get their name from intermittent flashes of light they give off at night. But not all fireflies are nocturnal and not all of them can glow.

I am not certain that the one I have photographed here can flash its light. I took this picture in bright sunshine about 11:45 a.m. It was on the flowering stem of a small vine providing the same service to the flower as a nearby honeybee, butterfly and hummingbird. Each of these insects and birds can be considered to be pollinators.

Most diurnal (daytime) fireflies have long antennae and smaller eyes when compared to the night fliers.

To this day, new firefly species are being discovered. I do not believe the one shown here is a new species. It is common.

I have on occasion used these insects for fish bait and have had the same luck catching pan fish as when fishing with crickets.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the O'Tenem Gallery.