Insect anthropology

The fireflies’ light is different now. In late spring and early summer they were bright white flashes filling the night sky like fairy dust. There are fewer now, and they are yellow, more intense and longer lasting. I am told that they use their light to attract a mate. When mating season started it was more fun, carefree; with thousands of potential mates abounding. Now mates are scarce and the light looks more desperate, pleading, “PLEEEAASE!!” Each flare-up looks as though it could be the last, as though all the insect’s life force is being put into it.

Summer for fireflies is like a night in a pickup joint.