# Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies - Hardcover

by **Sara Lewis** (Author)

**An informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated look at the beloved firefly**

For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate? In _Silent Sparks_, noted biologist and firefly expert Sara Lewis dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. From the meadows of New England and the hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, to the rivers of Japan and mangrove forests of Malaysia, this beautifully illustrated and accessible book uncovers the remarkable, dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies.

The nearly two thousand species of fireflies worldwide have evolved in different ways--and while most mate through the aerial language of blinking lights, not all do. Lewis introduces us to fireflies that don't light up at all, relying on wind-borne perfumes to find mates, and we encounter glow-worm fireflies, whose plump, wingless females never fly. We go behind the scenes to meet inquisitive scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding fireflies, and we learn about various modern threats including light pollution and habitat destruction. In the last section of the book, Lewis provides a field guide for North American fireflies, enabling us to identify them in our own backyards and neighborhoods. This concise, handy guide includes distinguishing features, habits, and range maps for the most commonly encountered fireflies, as well as a gear list.

A passionate exploration of one of the world's most charismatic and admired insects, _Silent Sparks_ will inspire us to reconnect with the natural world.

### Back Jacket

"With stunning illustrations and accessible text, _Silent Sparks_ takes readers on a guided tour into the hidden world of fireflies. This book explores the wonders of their coded light messages and reveals what has been learned about these beloved beetles through the sleuthing of researchers. Their scientific discoveries bring new awe to the flashing spectacle and love song of fireflies, readily found in fields and forests every summer."**\--Bernd Heinrich, author of _The Homing Instinc_**

"_Silent Sparks_ makes you want to drop whatever you're doing and devote yourself to learning everything you can about the charismatic, even enlightening, firefly. Sara Lewis, the leading expert on these amazing insects, shows that the night doesn't belong to us--it belongs to fireflies, whose dramatic lives are revealed with humor, insight, and passion."**\--Marlene Zuk, author of _Paleofantasy_**

"A brilliant biologist, Sara Lewis exudes the curiosity and sheer joy that comes from exploring and celebrating the science of life. It is a great gift to us that she decided long ago to study fireflies and in this marvelous book she reveals a world of wonder that will leave all readers breathless with awe."**\--Wade Davis, explorer-in-residence of the National Geographic Society**

"I found _Silent Sparks_ to be rewarding on so many fronts. Looking at one of nature's most charismatic and deeply loved critters, Sara Lewis provides us with an enjoyable, informative tour into the lives of fireflies. Her engaging book will be accessible to broad audiences within and outside of biology."**\--Douglas J. Emlen, author of _Animal Weapons: The Evolution of Battle_**

"_Silent Sparks_ is a beautifully written ode to fireflies and their behavior by someone who has made major research discoveries about these fascinating creatures. A combination of personal stories and information on how to study and identify fireflies, this is a book everyone can enjoy."**\--John Alcock, Regents' Professor Emeritus of Biology, Arizona State University**

### Author Biography

Sara Lewis, who has been captivated by fireflies for nearly three decades, is a professor in the Department of Biology at Tufts University. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including the "New York Times," "Scientific American," and "USA Today." Lewis lives with her husband in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

**Number of Pages:** 240

**Dimensions:** 0.9 x 10.1 x 8.3 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** April 26, 2016

## Details

- **Price:** 29.95 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 29.95 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies - Hardcover
- Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies - Hardcover

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