What you call these living stars is entirely up to you, and it may even be a regional thing.

But if it's not a fly and it's not a bug, then what is a firefly/lightning bug? You'll need to come our Firefly Festival that is located on High Bridge near Farmville, Virginia to compare notes and find out.

Firefly Festival is held at High Bridge Trail State Park on Friday June 15, 2018

The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. In the south we like to think they're there to brighten up our hot humid evenings.

They like to show up in the summertime, when coincidentally we like to be outside at a Virginia State Park. 

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Fireflies are familiar, but few realize that these insects are actually beetles, nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae. Most fireflies are winged, which distinguishes them from other luminescent insects of the same family, commonly known as glowworms.

Light production in fireflies is due to a type of chemical reaction called bioluminescence. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies.

This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers. (Source: How Stuff Works)

FIREFLY FESTIVAL

Get outdoors on Friday June 15, 2018 from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to witness the spectacular sight of fireflies by the tens of thousands in the tree tops below High Bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park. But there is one catch, you have to get to the bridge.

Visitors have close access to the program from Camp Paradise Road on the Prince Edward County side of High Bridge or arrive at our River Road parking area in Cumberland County by 8:30 p.m. in order to have enough time to walk the mile to High Bridge.  

A $10.00 per vehicle parking fee applies at both parking lots during the festival. Be sure to bring water and be prepared to stay out after dark. For more information contact the park office at 434-315-0457 or email here.

Learn more about insects at this special event

A light will be set up to attract insects, you never know who you'll meet

Well behaved pets are welcome if kept under control on a leash no longer than 6'

Meet a ranger guide for a brief explanation of these wonderful, luminous insects and how they have a role in local folklore. The new moon this year will provide little interference with the excellent dark contrast of the star-field above and the living "stars" around and below you. 

An extensive collection of insects will be available to examine, and light traps will be set to attract local insects for observation. A guest Entomologist, Paul Semtner, will be on hand to assist with questions and identification.

Last year we attracted several kinds of giant silk worm moths, including a perfect mint-green luna moth.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

Bert Vaux, a linguistics professor at the University of Cambridge, interviews 10,000 Americans around the country and asked what they call these beautiful living stars. He found out that if you use "firefly" and "lightning bug" interchangeably, like many do, then you're in good company.

Across the United States, 39.8 percent of respondents report using both terms. 30.4 percent say “firefly” exclusively and 29.1 percent say “lightning bug.” (Source: Old South High)

SORRY TO BUG YOU

But we'd really like to know your answer, what do you call them? Let us know what you call them in the comments on our Facebook page. And if you don't mind, tell us what part of the country you are from, or grew up in, and we'll see if that aligns with your answer.

#ThinkOutside