A Photuris firefly in hand. Firefly expert Richard Joyce says females in this genus trick males of other firefly species by mimicking their flash patterns — only to kill and eat them. This is an excerpt from WBUR's Saturday morning newsletter, The Weekender. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox,
Fireflies are active in Massachusetts from Memorial Day into late July. And spotting these magnificent beetles — yes, they’re actually beetles —about it?) The good news is you don’t have to travel far to see them, according to Richard Joyce, an Amherst-based conservation biologist for theAs a researcher, Joyce’s work mainly focuses on fireflies . He shared with us his expert tips on where to watch and how to safely approach them this summer in Massachusetts.
When they emerge, the color of their light and how often they flash can vary depending on species and even the weather. This species emits a noticeably orange light, but its subtle glow and high-up location can make it easy to miss, so he suggests watching carefully. Later in the season, Joyce adds that you might see another species, called the green firefly, around in the Connecticut River Valley and many of Boston’s suburbs.When trying to identify the species, Joyce recommends counting how often the firefly flashes over the course of nine seconds. Keep track of the time gaps between each flash.