Science is Fun! A Closer Look at the Firefly...

We found a firefly in the house last Friday, and we put it in a zip-lock bag to keep until we got a chance to examine it further.  Today, in class, we took a closer look.  First, we went online to view a video about fireflies - to watch them in action, lighting up the night.  We also read facts about fireflies.  Did you know that some forms of fireflies will eat other fireflies?  Yep!  They also give off a poisonous substance when touched by something they perceive to be a threat.  This poison can kill some species of insects and possibly small reptiles.  Wow!  I did not know that!  I have even heard that a child has died after handling fireflies and eating without washing hands first.  Eeeek!  I did make sure my babies washed their hands after examining their firefly.  But, then I think of all the fireflies that my brother and I used to catch as kids.  We would put them into a glass jar with a lid to seal them in, then take them inside our home to watch as we lay in bed at night.  Gulp!  I don't remember washing my hands afterward!  But then, I'm sure since we had been outside playing for so long, Mom would have put us straight into the tub as soon as we came in (or one of us anyway)!    But, then, what about the one who did not go into the tub right away?  Did my brother (or I) eat with unwashed hands?  Yikes!  Why are we even alive today?

Oh, well!  No use worrying about it now, huh?