Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies by Sara Lewis

Summary (Amazon): For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In Silent Sparks, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies.

The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways―and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list.

Author Site and Blog: https://silentsparks.com/category/blog/; 

     for the book: https://silentsparks.com/chapter-notes/chapter-1-silent-sparks/

Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ1H2ThDcqQ
Synchronous Fireflies in NC video from Ann D. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDHB-Z1w1bs&app=desktop

Reviews:

American Entomologist: https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/63/2/133/3867374

Interviews:

NPR: https://www.npr.org/books/titles/484586962/silent-sparks-the-wondrous-world-of-fireflies

TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sara_lewis_the_loves_and_lies_of_fireflies?language=en

Articles: 

>TravelLab: Synchronous Fireflies in PA:
a. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2018-06-20/travellab-in-a-forest-on-the-trail-of-synchronous-fireflies
b. https://pawilds.com/asset/pennsylvania-firefly-season/
c. Celebrate World Firefly Day by Keeping Nights Dark:
https://xerces.org/2019/07/05/world-firefly-day-2019/ utm_source=Enews+July+2019+%231&utm_campaign=July+Enewsletter+1&utm_medium=email
National Geographic 2019, Mexico fireflies: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/05/watch-how-mexican-fireflies-synchronize-light-shows/

Festivals:

PA Firefly Festival: June 22, 2019: https://www.pafireflyfestival.org/

2020: https://festivalnet.com/69087/Tionesta-Pennsylvania/Specialty-Theme-Events/PA-Firefly-Festival

Discussion Questions:

1. What did you know about fireflies before reading this book? Experiences?

2. What are some of the behaviors males use to get an advantage for finding a mate?

3. Discuss the complicated affairs of sex amongst fireflies and other animals including nuptial gifts and love darts and why they are used.

4. What Umwelt would you like to journey to?

5. Discuss some of the chemical and biological mechanisms of how the firefly lights up, turns its light on, synchronizes and why. What happens next, once the female shows up? (p. 98)

6. Discuss some of the interesting biologists, who studied fireflies and their stories and research including: Raphaël de Cock, Buck, Lloyd, Eisner and his bird Phogel (Vogel = Bird in German) and Meinwald.

7. Fireflies are such complex and not so gentle creatures with an amazing arsenal of chemical weapons and a “thrilling mix of poison, treachery and thieves”. Discuss what their multifaceted defense strategy entails.

8. Discuss the impacts on their populations here in the US and beyond. Living in the Anthropocene era now, what can be done to help protect fireflies for years to come?