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.

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.

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 ...