Lighting up the Shadows: An Illuminating Look at Fireflies with Matthew Speights

Catching fireflies on warm, summer nights was a favorite part of my childhood. I learned that male fireflies flashed and glowed to find a mate, but I never knew there were hundreds of kinds of fireflies, including ones that were poisonous, venomous pack hunters, mimics, or even cannibals!

Join me, Matthew Speights, to discover the hidden world of fireflies and the amazing diversity of their species, behaviors, and lifestyles. We’ll discover the strategies fireflies use to survive snow, avoid predators like bats, or share information as they flash with yellow, green, and even orange lights. In the process, we’ll learn why fireflies are disappearing, what their environmental needs are, and what we can do to help them survive.

Bonus: Get a preview of the Spring Treetop Flasher, the first glowing firefly of Spring, that we will hike to see. Meet at Kirby Nature Preserve, 2 East Main Street in Addyston, Ohio. Free, RSVP as space is limited.