Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Discover the fascinating science, surprising behaviors, and summertime magic of fireflies—and learn how you can help these beloved insects thrive.
Few sights feel more magical than fireflies flickering across a warm summer evening. Behind those familiar flashes lies an extraordinary world of chemistry, communication, courtship, and survival. In this new edition of The Fireflies Book, naturalist Brett Ortler offers an entertaining and accessible introduction to one of nature’s most captivating creatures.
Learn how fireflies produce light, why different species use distinctive flashing patterns, and how they control when their lanterns turn on and off. Explore the firefly life cycle, meet synchronized fireflies and blue ghosts, and discover predatory “femme fatales” that mimic the signals of other species. You’ll also find practical guidance for observing fireflies and creating healthier habitats in your own yard.
Engaging, informative, and filled with opportunities for discovery, The Fireflies Book is an illuminating guide for families, educators, gardeners, and anyone who has ever paused to watch the tiny lights dance in the darkness.
Book Features:
- Introduces remarkable fireflies, including synchronized species, blue ghosts, and predatory mimics
- Explains bioluminescence, flashing patterns, mating behaviors, life cycles, and natural defenses
- Explores fireflies in mythology, poetry, language, and summertime memories
- Offers tips for finding, watching, identifying, and photographing fireflies
- Includes hands-on projects involving native plants, community science, light pollution, and pesticide reduction
Brett Ortler is a writer, naturalist, and editor of more than 300 titles pertaining to nature. He is the author of several popular introductions to the natural world, including Backyard Science & Discovery Workbook: Midwest, Animal Tracks Activity Book, A Beginner’s Guide to Ship Watching on the Great Lakes, and several others. His work appears widely, including in the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Slate, Salon, and Minnesota Reformer. He’s also a poet and a literary editor; his first collection is Lessons of the Dead. He lives in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota.
Introduction
Frequently Asked Questions About Fireflies
The Basics
The Science of Fireflies
Common Fireflies
Concerns for the Present (and the Future)
Memories of Fireflies
Watching Fireflies
Fun Firefly Projects
Recommended Reading
Glossary
Bibliography
About the Author