{"name":"New Canaan Land Trust Presents: The Wondrous World of Fireflies | A Conversation with Dr. Sara Lewis","short_name":"New Canaan Land Trust Presents: The Wondrous World of Fireflies | A Conversation with Dr. Sara Lewis","theme_color":"#ffffff","start_url":"/","display":"standalone","background_color":"#fff","description":"New Canaan Land Trust’s Executive Director Aaron Lefland interviews renowned scientist and professor Dr. Sara Lewis about fireflies. Dr. Lewis, who has studied fireflies for nearly three decades, offers insights into the luminous lives and behaviors of fireflies. \n\nThe conversation offers insights on what observers will witness at the Land Trust’s Firefly Sanctuary during the peak firefly mating season in June and July.  Dr. Lewis explains the science behind the lifecycle of fireflies and their courtship rituals. Listeners of all ages will be fascinated and enlightened about the wondrous lives of the remarkable 150-million-year-old beetle species.  All facets of fireflies are covered in this 55-minute podcast. Subjects covered include: \n\n•\tFirefly courtship and sex lives; \n•\tThe lifecycle from larvae to pupa to adult firefly; \n•\tThe Femme Fatale of fireflies and what triggered their vampire-like behavior; \n•\tThe chemistry that produces bioluminescence; \n•\tSurprising applications of the light-emitting enzyme in space, medicine, industry and more; and \n•\tWhat citizens can do to protect firefly habitats in their backyards and towns.\n\nSegments:\n\n:45   \tBackground on Dr. Lewis and why she has spent decades studying these wonder-inspiring creatures\n3:56 \tCurrent focus of Dr. Lewis and her team’s research\n10:41\tLifecycle of fireflies: from larvae to pupa to firefly\n15:50  \tMating ritual: What you are witnessing at the Firefly Sanctuary\n21:30 \tThe different species of fireflies (surprising fact: not all adults light up)\n25:10\tPhoturis firefly: The Femme Fatale \n35:10\tThe science and history behind bioluminescence \n44:11\tWhat we can do to protect fireflies’ habitat\n55:16 \tEffect of climate change on fireflies\n51:49\tAdvice to Firefly Sanctuary visitors about what to do before and during their visit \n\n\nSara Lewis is a Professor of Biology at Tufts University, where she and her students have researched the luminous lives of fireflies for nearly three decades. Author of Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies and numerous scientific articles, Lewis’ work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, USA Today, and Undark magazine. Currently, she works on global firefly conservation as co-chair of the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group.\n.","icons":[{"src":"https://deow9bq0xqvbj.cloudfront.net/image-logo/11938269/Podcast_Cover_1400_by_14008ub2o_300x300.jpg","sizes":"300x300","type":"image/png"}]}