The middle of summer brings peak lightning bug season in Philadelphia. Experts say it’s been a lively time for the insect so far. 

Carter Johnson, senior naturalist at Briar Bush Nature Center in Abington, said, “It seems like a good year from what I've been seeing walking around at our park in Briar Bush. And across Philadelphia, it seems like it's a really good year for fireflies.” 

Pennsylvania is home to more than 30 firefly species, including the common eastern firefly and the state insect, Photuris pensylvanica, or the Pennsylvania firefly. Residents in central and rural parts of the state report more sightings of the insect, as well. 

Johnson said this is likely due to the amount of available food for fireflies, which are actually beetles. 

“They are carnivorous animals, especially in their larval stage, so they feed on other invertebrates like snails and other bugs that help them grow. So, if there's an abundance of those, then there is likely to be an abundance of fireflies,” Johnson said. 

In addition, warm and humid weather in Philadelphia and the rest of Pennsylvania have created ideal conditions for the state’s lightning bug population, said John Tooker, an entomologist at Penn State University Park. 

Philadelphians can likely spot these illuminating bugs in open meadows and well-maintained backyards with native, diverse vegetation, as those plants attract the native insects fireflies eat, Johnson said. He also recommends reducing artificial light in your surroundings and having leaf litter on the ground they can sleep in during the day. 

And if you’re going to catch one in a jar, make sure to let it go right after so they can keep repopulating. “I do want people to experience joy with them and have fun with fireflies, but not at the cost of their breeding cycle,” Johnson said. 

Here are some places to look for fireflies in Northwestern Philadelphia:

• Andorra Meadow and Wissahickon Valley Park, 992 Northwestern Ave.
• Pastorius Park, 8177 Roanoke St.
• Belmont Plateau and West Fairmount Park, 1800 Belmont Mansion Dr.
• Manayunk Canal, 5000 E Flat Rock Road 
• The Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road 

Abby Weiss is an environmental reporter for the Local and a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at abby@chestnuthilllocal.com.