The Mysterious Lampyridae

Happy summer everyone!  I thought I would do a fun fact sheet type of entry this time around.

Here are some facts about Lampyridae.  Enjoy!!

1.      Lampyridae is the scientific name for what's commonly known as lightning bugs or fireflies.
2.      There are about 2,000 species of lightning bugs.  Not all of the species have the ability to light up.
3.      They are nocturnal beetles.
4.      Lightning bugs hibernate over winter, burrowing underground or under the bark of a tree.  This is done during their larvae stage.
5.      Lightning bugs have a light-emitting organ in their lower abdomen.  The process they use to light up is called bioluminescence.
6.      Each species have their own specific color ranging from yellow, orange, light red, green or blue.  (I've only seen lightning bugs light up yellow.)
7.       The larvae eat larvae of slugs and snails.  Adults eat nectar and plant pollen.
8.       Male lightning bugs will use their flash to attract females.  Each species has its own pattern of flashing or lighting up.
9.       The West Coast does have lightning bugs, the species they have do not light up.

10.     The light created by a lightning bug is the most efficient light made.
11.     During the day, lightning bugs spend their time on the ground in tall grass.

Lightning bug populations are declining Worldwide.  Some of those causes are loss of habit, pesticides and weed killers.  When their habitat is destroyed, unfortunately they don't migrate to a new area.  They just disappear!

Since I was a little girl, I've been fascinated with lightning bugs.  I used to go outside and catch them and put them in a bug box.  I would release them back into nature either that same night or a day or two later.  As an adult I still look forward to the beginning of summer and catching a first glimpse of these beauties as they emerge for the first time.

Here are some photographs I captured with my iPhone and a beautiful lightning bug model from my front yard.

I hope you have enjoyed this entry and are having a great summer!

CLOSE UP OF THE WINGS

BLURRY NIGHT TIME GLOW

DAYTIME SIGHTING ON MY DOG'S BACK

Bloody Mary and plaque disclosing tablets

Whether you consider her a folklore or an urban legend, let's discuss Bloody Mary.

First, I'm going to get a little sidetracked:  Who remembers getting a visit, in elementary school, from a local dentist and/or a dental technician?  They were there to teach you proper dental care.  They would bring those weird chewable plaque disclosing tablets that everyone had to use. The dentist would give everyone a toothbrush and toothpaste.  You would brush your teeth and then chew one of these red (sometimes pink) tablets.  They were used to show children if they were brushing their teeth properly by dyeing the plaque left behind a reddish color.

Anyhow, the first time I ever heard about Blood Mary was during dental day in elementary school.  A handful of girls were talking about it in the bathroom while we were supposed to be brushing our teeth and chewing our red tablets.  I remember one of the girls turning the lights off and on to get a scare out of everyone.

Do you remember the first time you heard of Bloody Mary?

The story of Bloody Mary, for me, goes like this:

As a child I remember being told that she was a witch who was executed back in the old days. To conjure her, you go into a bathroom and stand in front of the mirror with the lights out.  You could either stand in complete darkness or have one candle for dim lighting.  You chant "Bloody Mary" three times into the mirror and Bloody Mary will appear to you.  The sight of her is supposed to be terrifying.  I was always petrified to ever try this as a young girl because I didn't want to see her.  I also didn't know how I would get rid of her if she did appear to me. The story apparently worked on me.  I remember standing in front of the bathroom mirror at home a couple times and thinking about her but never dared chant her name.  I always assumed that if you actually saw her she would kill you.

I grew out of that fear as I grew older.  I also found out that this childhood game/urban legend of  Bloody Mary had a bit of truth involved with it.  The following is a story I recently learned about her.

Mary Tudor, the daughter (and only child) of Catherine of Aragon and King Henry VIII, born in Greenwich, England on February 18, 1516.  Mary Tudor became Queen in 1553 at the age of 37.  She was the first queen regnant of both England and Ireland.  Queen Mary was looking to return England to the Catholic Church.  The story goes on to state that she persecuted hundreds of Protestants, thus earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary".  During her life, Queen Mary had several false pregnancies, never once having a child.  She died on November 17, 1558 at the age of 42.

Did you ever try conjuring Bloody Mary?  Does your story sound similar to mine?  Have you heard my version or any other version of Queen Mary's life story?  Did you ever have to use plaque disclosing tablets in school?  Whether or not you've heard of Bloody Mary, Queen Mary or plaque disclosing tablets, I hope you have enjoyed reading my latest entry!