Collectors urged to catch lightning bugs

Over the past several years, Sarah Hoyle has been one of this area?s top lightning bug collectors.

?I don?t know why, but the creatures just aren?t plentiful this year,? said Sarah?s mother, Linda Hoyle. ?We?ve been watching and waiting for them to come out. Last night should have been a good night, but we only saw three.?

Cool weather or dry spells can slow the appearance of the lightning bugs. Some humidity and a bit of rain is the best environment for the blinking bugs.

According to Linda, the weather could be the cause of the diminishing population at their home just across the Warren County line in Grundy County.

?Its been hot and dry lately,? said Linda. ?We haven?t had that much rain out here. We were hoping it would get better but it?s just not. Usually by this time she already has a one-pound butter container almost full.?

The lightning bug collecting season officially lasts for two months ? June and July. For Sarah, it?s just not happening this year so she?s hanging up her net.

?She?s not collecting this year,? said Linda. ?She?s sad about it. It?s so much fun for her.?

The science world might just miss Sarah. In 2005, McMinnville delivered 543 grams of insects for research. Of those collected, 192 were from Sarah?s net. Second through fifth place local collectors were Nina King, John Reed, Caleb Rowland, and Jake and Lauren Hunt, respectively.

In her bug-catching career, which is on hold and not over, Sarah has netted 1,099 grams of lightning bugs. In 2000, she earned second place by nabbing 81 grams and received a check for almost $23. In 2001 she claimed top collecting honors by scooping in 453 grams for a check totaling almost $144.

In 2003, she again swept top honors by netting 197 grams for a check of $66. In 2004, she collected 176 grams. In 2005, she collected 192 grams to get a check for over $69.

This summer?s collection will net .37 cents per gram or $10.50 per ounce, approximately $1.45 per 100 bugs. The next date to turn in your collection will be Aug. 3 at McMinnville Civic Center from 3:15 to 4 p.m.

Scientists at the Promega Biosciences in San Luis Obispo, Calif., use the insects for public health safety testing of food and as a tool in research.

For more information, please contact Firefly Project, c/o 122 Emory Lane, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 37830 or call 1-888-520-1272. The e-mail address is [email protected].