What Are Those Flashing Bugs Called? What do you call those flashing beetles that light up in the summertime? Is it a firefly or a lightingbug? Different areas of the U.S. call these beetles one or the other or, sometimes, use them terms interchangeably. Fireflies and lightningbugs refer to beetles in family, Lampyridae. I recently visited my family in Ohio and got to return somewhat to my childhood, being giddy over the number of fireflies I discovered emerging with their gentle flashing patterns at dusk. Yes, I ran… Read More →