This might be an odd question but.. is there a difference between:

"Fire Flies" and "Lightening Bugs"?

Only who's talking about them

Seriously though, no, they are the same.

They are actually beetles (order coleoptera) which, to an insect taxonomist, makes them neither flies nor bugs. The wingless adult females are also called "glowworms" and -- needless to say -- they are not worms, either.

Glowworms are also luminescent larvae of either fireflies or a similiar beetle family - Lampyridae.

Georgia85, I believe Lampyridae includes all species of "fireflies." You are right about glowworms including luminescent larvae -- I discovered that yesterday online. In fact, the wingless females were referred to as "larviform", confusing the picture. But I believe the mature females attract and communicate with the males via flashing lights. (Cue the Mills Brothers...)

You're right of course Professor. I goofed with my post. I had firefly on the brain I actually meant to put that glowworms (of the luminescent larvae form) were from the family Phengodidae. That is a different family than where Fireflies belong.

For anyone interested in the break down of the order Coleoptera, this site will be very helpful.

Thanks for all of the information.

More than you wanted to know, huh Sher

Georgia, thanks for a great link! I've been collecting bugs since the 4th grade.

Me too Professor! Well, maybe not since 4th grade but probably since 6th grade. Started off as a science project and sort of just caught my interest so now I'm always on the lookout for a good specimen!