in new jersey we called them lightening bugs
you know, i'm not sure what mainers call them.
anyways.......
in new jersey there were TONS!!!!! they put on quite a show. and they always light up a bit as they were rising up out of the grass.
here in maine they light up for quite a while as they fly sideways.
in new jersey the kids would catch a bunch and put them in a peanut butter jar (plastic) then they would throw it up high and let it hit the ground. all of the bugs would light at once and stay lit.
when i was a kid we only had glass jars so we would put grass and twigs in it and catch a bunch and poke holes in the lid and keep it in our rooms overnight.
i have not yet taught my grandsons to catch them yet. i have to wait until they are old enough to be awake when it gets dark out.
there you have it! my observations on fireflies/lightening bugs