Success StoryParticipants Learned about the Importance of Lightning Bugs in the Environment
Participants Learned about the Importance of Lightning Bugs in the Environment
Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Planning Unit: Daviess County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Plan of Work: Agriculture Production, Management, and Environment
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Lightning bugs, also called fireflies, bring back happy childhood memories. Teaching about lightning bugs would educate participants about this insect, how it fits into the ecosystem, and why it seems like not as many are seen today. In addition, this opportunity would provide a way to explain that all insects are not pests. To meet these educational goals, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service, Green River Area Extension Master Gardeners, and the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden worked collaboratively to present “Know and Grow: Learn All About Lightning Bugs” one evening in early June at the botanical garden. Extension Master Gardener and botanical garden volunteers worked with the horticulture agent to plan the event and serve as hosts of the program. Activities during the event included a display of beneficial and insect pests from the Office of the State Entomologist, face painting, and craft making. A 30-minute program, repeated 4 times, about lightning bugs was presented by Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomology specialist. There were 443 adults and children in attendance. Some participants traveled for over an hour to attend. A written survey after the presentation was completed by 81 participants. As a result of the program, 100% learned more about lightning bugs, 91 percent learned how lightning bugs fit into the environment, and 88 percent learned there are beneficial insects. One participant said, "It was great to see such a good sized crowd out having such a great time, and learning so much about fireflies."
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