lightning bugs?

[juggalo69]

Anyone have any tips on keeping these guys? I remember trying to keep them in mason jars as a kid and waking up to a bunch of dead bugs. My theory is that was due to lack of ventilation (a few small holes in the lid). My kids want me to catch and keep some. What do they eat, How best to house them, anything you can give me would be helpful.

 

[xelda]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they're predaceous. Different species have their own unique sequences for how they light up. Some species are known to mimic the lighting patterns of other species in order to capture them as prey. That's about all I remember from entomology lab. You can find more information about them by Googling "Lampyridae."