They glow in the dark, they flit through summer evenings, and they’ve filled countless childhood mason jars. But why do some people call the glimmering flyer a lightning bug vs. firefly ?

Here’s the secret: There isn’t one.

These glowing insects are the same creature, and the difference lies in an intriguing dialect of American English.

Same Bug, Different Name

Lightning bugs and fireflies both refer to soft-bodied beetles from the Lampyridae family. Despite their name, they are neither true bugs nor true flies.

These flying beetles use a chemical reaction called bioluminescence to produce light and attract mates. The light is produced in their abdomen through the a chemical reaction involving an enzyme and oxygen, creating that familiar green or yellow glow.

Whether you call t

See Full Page