How to Feed Fireflies

Catching fireflies is a fun summer activity for children, who may enjoy holding the insects in their hands and keeping them in a jar to watch them glow through the night. While fireflies are harmless and can be kept in captivity, it is best for the firefly to be released after a few days. In the meantime, concerned children may want to offer food to a pet firefly.

Instructions

    • 1

      Keep captive fireflies in a jar or container that has a screen top or plenty of holes to admit fresh air. Without fresh air to breath, a firefly will not be able to survive even one night.

    • 2

      Place a shallow dish or bottle cap in the jar with a small amount of drinking water. Make sure that the water is shallow to ensure that the firefly does not fall in to the dish and drown.

    • 3

      Mix together some warm water with a high concentration of fine sugar and place it in another shallow dish or cap. Fireflies feed primarily on nectar and sugar water is the best substitute for natural nectar.

    • 4

      Provide fireflies with small slugs, mealworms or other small insects if desired. Fireflies prey on smaller, soft-bodied insects, but do not eat meat frequently, so a firefly may or may not choose to eat insects that are offered.