r/interesting • u/brainland • 24d ago

NATURE Seems we are the last generation to witness fireflies. When last do you see them?

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I was thinking about these bugs few days ago and I struggle to remember when last I saw them.

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u/Maximum-Cover- 24d ago

They also need plant debris, leaves, and uncut lawn to survive.

Every time you mow the lawn you butcher your fireflies.

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u/Keegantir 24d ago

Also, even if you do mow, don't mow to less than 4inchs and leave the clippings and leaves on the ground! If you really have to do something, due to HOAs or whatnot, then mulch it, but taking the clippings and/or leaves off the ground is one of the worst things you can do for your lawn and the local ecosystem.

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u/Cinderhazed15 24d ago

We mow with a really high deck level, and alternate front and back yards on different weeks.

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u/Acceptable_Field_567 24d ago

😭

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u/Maximum-Cover- 24d ago edited 24d ago

Even if you live somewhere you can’t just stop cutting lawn there are things you can do.

Lots of native grasses are clumping and can be grown in decorative stands that look tidy when you let them grow tall if you plant them in a pattern.
Lawn grasses are almost all non-native invasive species, we just don’t call them invasive because people like them. So they’re not the best to let go unmowed for our native species anyway.

Adding borders of native clumping grasses mixed with flowers helps a lot, looks nice, is low maintenance, and hoa/city approved in most places.

Ideal is often not practical, but better is.

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u/Cinderhazed15 24d ago

We alternate mowing our front yard and our back yard, that way at least half the yard has a chance.

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u/howdoesthisworkfuck 24d ago

Yeah its way more about their habitat