Observations by mikebernhardt

I trapped this lightening bug in my sleeping bag while camping without a tent at Mammoth Cave National Park. I wasn’t camping in a campground. Even though it lit up and flew similar to a firefly, it didn’t look like one. Their flight pattern was more ridged from others that I’ve seen, such as flying in more of a straight line and the duration of their light was slightly different, it tended to stay on a bit longer. I was watching them go back and forth a few feet above the road while I was on the phone with my spouse. After I ended the call, I took the battery out of it and stuck it near my feet in the sleeping bag. That's when the fireflies flew directly towards me. I tried to ignore them, but when I laid down in my sleeping bag, they started dive bombing my face. That's when I trapped one of them in my sleeping bag. I could feel the wings vibrating between my fingers before putting it in a container from my first aid kit. It was still glowing when I put it in the container. Strange thing is, I didn't notice any body excrements on my hand or in the container. I disposed of it on my way back to Wisconsin. If it's not a firefly, then what is it?