It's a right of passage in Iowa: Stepping out into your backyard to see fireflies lighting up the night sky. There are more than 170 species of glowing insects known as Lampyridae in North America.

While putting out our recycling bin last Sunday night, I was elated to see the first lightning bugs of the year flashing their love lights to one another. There were only a few, but I excitedly ...

Whether you like to call them fireflies or lightning bugs, there's no denying that they are fascinating to watch on a warm summer evening. But have you wondered what makes these tiny bugs light up?

Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, are harmless insects known for their ability to produce light through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence. The term "lightning bug" is a common, ...

Summertime means days out in the sun and evenings under the stars. The season also evokes memories of time spent by the pool or in front of campfires and admiring the flicker of lightning bugs — or ...