This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

You’ll find one in Mercury, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus.  But never in Neptune or Venus.  Who am I?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of nature’s most delicate and intriguing insects is the firefly.  These small, flying insects with their leathery wings are an annual summer treat.

Here are some quick facts about the firefly, which is a soft-bodied beetle with wings:

• Habitat:  Some live in moist places under debris on the ground.  Others live beneath bark and decaying vegetation.
• Diet:  Larvae feed on insects, snails, and slugs.  Adults may feed on pollen or nectar, or may not eat at all.
• Color:  Brown or black.

Fireflies are also called “lightning bugs.”  At dusk during the summer, they will fly up from grass and blink their green or yellow light organs to attract mates.

The light is called bioluminescence, which is a cold light (no heat) with 96% energy efficiency.  In comparison, ordinary light bulbs have an approximate 10% efficiency.  Of course, newer technology (LED) has increased the efficiency. 

The life cycle of fireflies begins when females lay eggs in damp soil.  In 3-4 weeks, these eggs hatch into larvae.  The larvae feed until the end of summer, then burrow into soil or behind bark.  They emerge in spring, and become adults.

Left:  Close-up view of a firefly.  right:  Glow-in-the-dark scene of fireflies.  (courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

The letter “R”.