[Sparksfurn]

Is there any place or season to see fireflies in the villages? We are new to The Villages, we’re Northerners?
Thanks.

[Stu from NYC]

Hmm interesting, thinking we have not seen any since living here

[Topspinmo]

Have seen firefly in Florida. Don’t remember seeing one in Oklahoma. Last time was in Nebraska and Missouri for me.

[Topspinmo]

According to this they are in Florida but maybe not for long?

Your browser is not supported | usatoday.com.

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by Sparksfurn

Is there any place or season to see fireflies in the villages? We are new to The Villages, we’re Northerners?
Thanks.

We used to chase them up in PA as a kid. I have been in FL over 20 year and I have never seen one down here

[fdpaq0580]

Fireflies? No! But, alternatively, we do have lovebugs! Enjoy getting to know them! 🤭🙂🙃🫠😉

[Rwatson1]

The reason there are no fireflies is because of all the pesticides being applied on a daily basis. Every one has the yard sprayed every time they see any kind of bug. The pesticides kill all. This is Florida, we have bugs.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Rwatson1

The reason there are no fireflies is because of all the pesticides being applied on a daily basis. Every one has the yard sprayed every time they see any kind of bug. The pesticides kill all. This is Florida, we have bugs.

It took me one search to find this one thread for the facts.

Why Are Fireflies Disappearing? Information on the Decline of Fireflies | Firefly.org

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Sparksfurn

Is there any place or season to see fireflies in the villages? We are new to The Villages, we’re Northerners?
Thanks.

As a kid growing up here. I saw them all the time (we call them lightning bugs here). I moved back here 3 years ago from Atlanta and saw them there too but haven’t seen any in TV. My dad’s house is in Leesburg on Lake Harris and I can see them there.

[Windguy]

I’ve seen them around the swampy areas here in TV. It is such a delight when I see them.

[Two Bills]

We have glow-worms in the UK, but hardly see any now, compared to when we were kids.
Same with butterflies. We had whole meadows of butterflies, but nothing like the numbers now.

We have made our garden planting as butterfly and bee friendly as possible, and summer to fall many can be seen all around us, we love it, but it is a drop in the ocean compared to what needs doing to reverse the population downward trend.

Our bee decline is becoming a major disaster in the offing, loss of habitat, invasive species, over use of pesticides and disease is playing havoc on bee and hover species population.
It is a very serious problem when a main germination force is in decline.
Lip service and promises are expressed by successive governments, but the usual attitude of "it's not a problem until it's a disaster" prevails.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Windguy

I’ve seen them around the swampy areas here in TV. It is such a delight when I see them.

And wooded areas. I bet you could see them on some of the walking trails south of 44 near the woods too.

[wawriwwawriw]

=Sparksfurn;2316897]Is there any place or season to see fireflies in the villages? We are new to The Villages, we’re Northerners?
Thanks.[/QUOTE]
In almost 20 years in Florida I may count the number of fireflies seen with one hand. But think about the amount of pesticides and herbicides used in this State due to development and agriculture, add to this the amount of development. Still, there are over 50 species of them in Fl. Good luck finding them.

Originally Posted by Sparksfurn

Is there any place or season to see fireflies in the villages? We are new to The Villages, we’re Northerners?
Thanks.

Have lived in FL since 1987 and have never seen a firefly. Miss that from being a kid living in CT.

We do have awesome sized roaches. Put a light on one of them and you could use them as night lights to find your way to the kitchen.

Thinking about fire-flys brings back memories. I miss the soft northern Kentucky Blue grass - great for cloud watching and the days of picnics and playing as a kid. You don't dare lay on a lawn in FL with our state mascot being the fire ant.
Course what good old fashioned cloud watching would one do in FL these days anyway.

[RWhitburn]

This was posted yesterday on their FB page - it is near Winter Garden:

We are excited to announce the fireflies are back at Oakland Nature Preserve!

The Preserve will be open until 9pm select nights, starting this Saturday, March 30, to allow visitors to explore the boardwalk and look for fireflies.

The boardwalk will be open until 9 pm. Sunset is at 7:43 pm, come enjoy a stroll as the sunsets and the fireflies make their appearance.

Other upcoming dates will be posted as they are scheduled.

We will have a staff member at the start of the boardwalk to answer any questions you may have. Please park in the grass overflow lot outside of the gate.

Handicap parking spaces will remain accessible in our regular lot.

This event is free of charge, but donations are very appreciated.

Please, no flashlights and little to no insect repellent as a courtesy to other visitors and animals at the preserve.

Please, no smoking on the boardwalk/Preserve property, it has been very dry, and fires can start very easily in these hot conditions.

Event will be canceled in the case of inclement weather, please check our Facebook page for updates.