Firefly: Femme Fatale of the Night

Flickering fireflies may seem soothing, but look closer . . . A female firefly harbors deadly secrets, and she’s on the hunt. Male fireflies, beware!

Lovers of nocturnal animals and fans of the unusual will be drawn to this thrilling look at an insect that makes summer evenings glow. From the time a female firefly larva emerges, she has little time to waste. She must eat, transform, find a mate, and lay her eggs, all in a startlingly brief lifetime. To her aid, the femme fatale, or Photuris, is armed with poisonous toxins to protect from predators, as well as a green light flashing as both beacon and warning, attracting mates—and meals. The male firefly answers the signal, but at what cost to him? With clear, compelling prose and luminous imagery, Elaine Alexander and illustrator David Litchfield create a brilliant glimpse into the mysterious movements of an unforgettable insect of the night.