Garden Variety

Glow your own way

By Charity Nebbe,

Published August 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM CDT

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Watching fireflies as they light up a soft, warm night is one of the pure joys of summer. In this episode, we'll find out what all of that flashing is about as fireflies dwindle and send their last signals of the season.

Iowa State University Entomologist Zach Schumm demystifies these bio-luminescent insects. We learn why they glow, how you can catch them and more.

Guest:

Zach Schumm, entomologist, Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic

Tags

Garden Variety HorticultureHort DayInsects

Charity Nebbe

Charity Nebbe is the host of 'Talk of Iowa'. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University.

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Aaron Steil

Aaron Steil is a Consumer Horticulture Specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Aaron contributes his expertise to the Garden Variety podcast and newsletter and to Talk of Iowa's Horticulture Day program.

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Neve Kelley

Neve Kelley was a 2025 summer intern with IPR's talk show team and a senior at Oberlin College studying English, environmental studies and education. She is originally from Peoria, Illinois. Some of her favorite things to do in Iowa include going to shows at Codfish Hollow and the Englert, visiting different coffee shops and taking yoga classes.

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