Lightning Bugs: Fireflies:
Summer evenings in June and July, whenever I was allowed to stay up after dark, were dedicated to the capture
and containment of fireflies. So, is there a metamorphosis stage for fireflies? Then, there’s June Bugs. And,
the Cicadas!! Just try sleeping through that serenade. Aagh!
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Well, after much research and hearty(really!) perusal, I can adequately pronounce on the metamorphosis for
fireflies. Definitely an eye opener. Some of the 'notes' are from Wikipedia:
They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use
of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light",...
Their larvae emit light and are often called "glowworms", in particular, in Eurasia. In the Americas, "glow
worm" also refers to the related Phengodidae.”
So, the metamorphosis stages of the lightning bug was clarified: larvae (egg...‘glow-worm’...a la beetle)...
...
Regardless of how fireflies control the "on" and "off" of their bioluminescence, the production of light in the above manner is very efficient, with very little heat being given off as wasted energy. Imagine what would happen if the beetle got as warm as a light bulb!
...
And then I thought of Scotus and Newman and Keats and Hopkins...that ol' "this-ness".
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