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
Lightening bugs, also called fireflies, bring back childhood memories. It was determined that teaching about lightening 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 provided a way to explain that all insects are not pests. 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” in early June at the botanical garden in the evening. 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 State Office of Entomology, face painting, and making a craft. A 30-minute program repeated 4 times about lightning bugs was presented by Dr. Jonathan Larson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomology specialists. There were 443 in attendance including adults and children. Some participants traveled for over an hour to participate. A written survey after the presentation was completed by 81 participants. As a result of the program, 100% learned more about lightening bugs, 91 percent learned how lightning bugs fit into the environment, and 88 percent learned there are beneficial insects.
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