Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name       Angela
status     student
age        40s

Question - Approximately 10 years ago, a train engineer, while
passing through the dense forest of Northern Ontario sites a very large
area of land that was lit up, possibly by lightning bugs, during the
summer months. Is there any documentation of such sitings, or is this
actually possible since these insects habitat mostly in the southern US
states? Please provide info on their habitat. Thankyou and look forward
to your response.
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perhaps methane from wetlands (i.e., swamp gas)?

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
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I have not been able to find anything very specific about range of lightning
bugs except that they are very widely distributed around the world, more
abundant in tropical and more humid areas. I have read many stories about
large numbers of lightning bugs in an area, but none specific to northern
regions.

J. Elliott
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