a firefly primer, with lynn frierson faust (win her field guide)

FIREFLIES: THEY NEVER FAIL to bring out that sense of first-time wonder, the excitement of a child on a summer camping trip when the sky darkens and the flashing begins. But until a new field guide reached my desk, I hardly knew anything about them beyond that feeling. In time for their flight season this year, I wanted to get a Firefly 101, so I know more about who they are and what they’re doing out there.

Who better to get schooled in the world of fireflies by than Lynn Frierson Faust, author of “Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs” from the University of Georgia Press, a guide to the natural history and identification of fireflies of the Eastern and Central U.S. and Canada.

Read along as you listen to the May 14, 2018 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You can subscribe to all future editions on iTunes or Stitcher (and browse my archive of podcasts here).

Plus: Enter to win a copy of the firefly field guide by commenting in the box at the very bottom of this page.

firefly q&a with lynn frierson faust

Q. I have to say that despite the fact that the book is about a complex subject, and something I knew nothing about other than as I just said in the intro my wonder at them, that it’s written in such a way that a layperson can actually read it. You really, among all the technical details, your continuing excitement over the subject really (ha-ha) shines through [laughter], so yes.

A. Well, thank you. That was my goal. I wanted it scientifically accurate, but I wanted to write it in a way that was accessible to everyone, because everyone likes fireflies—or lightning bugs as we call them down here.

Q. Yes, even the little touches, like in the margins on some pages you put quotes about them

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