Are there fireflies in Lubbock, TX?

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by catman

Glad to hear it. I miss the little buggers. It's sad that the TCU Horned Frogs have none of their little namesakes around here.

About a year ago I was showing a vacant home in Euless that backed up to a creek. Out on the patio was a Horny Toad.

First one I'd seen in DFW in the last 25 years.

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by ENTO

Just wanted to know if there are fireflies in Lubbock, TX or the surrounding area.

I've seen fireflies east of Abilene, where there is a lake.

[TexasReb]

There were some great posts on this thread...and some memories.

Oh man, I couldn't exactly say when was the last time I saw a Texas Horned Toad. When I was a kid, seemed like they were everywhere.

Same with lighting bugs (fireflies). Some years back I asked a biology professor if it was just me, or where they becoming more rare? Over the years it seemed those natural sparkler displays on summer nights were fizzling out.

He said it was not my imagination; that the same iindustrial pesticide used to kill mosquitoes (ala' those "fogger" type trucks) also killed off the lightning bugs.

[Brian.Pearson]

Texas horned lizard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Westerner92]

I used to live across from a vacant field, and there were plenty of horned toads (along with ground squirrels). It's sad they are endangered. They are such neat creatures.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

I used to live across from a vacant field, and there were plenty of horned toads (along with ground squirrels). It's sad they are endangered. They are such neat creatures.

They sure are, Westerner. Like I said, I have not seen one in many years. But when I was a kid, we lived in a neighborhood where it was not uncommon at all to see one scampering across the yard.

I hate to admit this, but I killed one once with a BB gun I had. I was about ten years old at the time, and my daddy witnessed this from out the window, and he came out, took my BB gun away from me and whipped my butt good. I deserved that licking -- it was like killing a mockingbird -- and wish I could go back in time and give own self another one.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

I used to live across from a vacant field, and there were plenty of horned toads (along with ground squirrels). It's sad they are endangered. They are such neat creatures.

It just hit me that you would see Horny Toads around Red Ant beds which I believe was one of their favorite meals. I'm sure pesticide have hit them hard but the loss of Red Ants might be the reason also.

I believe Fire Ants have hurt Red Ants and the Quail Population. I don't get out to the country and hunt as much as I used to but I've not seen a Quail in years either.

Sad.

[rr2005]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

They sure are, Westerner. Like I said, I have not seen one in many years. But when I was a kid, we lived in a neighborhood where it was not uncommon at all to see one scampering across the yard.

I hate to admit this, but I killed one once with a BB gun I had. I was about ten years old at the time, and my daddy witnessed this from out the window, and he came out, took my BB gun away from me and whipped my butt good. I deserved that licking -- it was like killing a mockingbird -- and wish I could go back in time and give own self another one.

There should be more daddies in the world like yours! I remember we used to catch them on the playground at school and flip them over and rub their bellies. They also used to have "Horny Toad Races" at some of the rodeos in West Texas. Every kid around would show up with one. My mom accidentally cut the leg off one with a hoe once while gardening, and we entered him. He did very well, for only having 3 legs....

[Brian.Pearson]

BTW, ENTO, I've lived in Lubbock but never had the luck to see any of the critters, there. I bet if there was a permanent body of water in the area, a guy may be able to transplant some fireflies, there.