It's a right of passage in Iowa: Stepping out into your backyard to see fireflies lighting up the night sky. There are more than 170 species of glowing insects known as Lampyridae in North America.

Remember not-so-distant summer nights where the evening was lit up by so many twinkling fireflies? There were so many you could catch and observe more than a few in a jar before releasing them.

Whether you like to call them fireflies or lightning bugs, there's no denying that they are fascinating to watch on a warm summer evening. But have you wondered what makes these tiny bugs light up?

You’ve probably seen or heard at least once in your lifetime about fireflies – the famous light-emitting insects! They form the Lampyridae family and are sometimes called glowworms or lightning bugs.

An error has occurred. Please try again. With a The Portland Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. It looks like you do not have any active ...

If you purchase something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Bugs. They're tiny, pesky invaders that can turn your sanctuary into a battlefield. From ants marching through your ...

Bugs. They're tiny, pesky invaders that can turn your sanctuary into a battlefield. From ants marching through your kitchen to spiders lurking in the corners, dealing with household pests is a ...