Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolBee  She needs to be on ground so she can lay her eggs. Some other googling suggests in a damp place near a river might be good. link to article |
The original problem was merely this CoolBee. I learned all that quick searching could yield on day one. Being by a river/stream isn't compulsory. I live on the French Broad River watershed, but the river itself is over a mile and a half away. So they've been doing well in this immediate area without moving water. But thank you for your well intentioned citation.
Things aren't the original simplicity, however. Now that things are a little more complicated, her not having full motor control anymore, the big issue is "is she able to lay them at all?" Unfortunately this isn't even an established field of knowledge outside of limited studies. Speaking to the other entomologist specializing in this genus, he assured me that evacuation of eggs usually happens after death if it hasn't happened already. My caveat to this is if she can't control her ovaposition willingly, then wouldn't it be disconnected from this response as well?
I'm attempting to consult an evolutionary biologist who apparently is
the authority on firefly mating, a referral by the entomology doctor. If it is doubtful that she can even lay her eggs naturally, that is what I need to know before I do the obvious thing and facilitate egg laying outside on suitable ground.
How does all this have me feeling though? I feel like my bleeding heart puts living things at the mercy of my bad luck spells. It makes me question my intentions versus my abilities to follow through, and I guess what I personally have to personally be held accountable for in the long term.
And a special thanks to
slothbear is in order. Your affirmational advice was well received, and I thank you for your earnest thoughts.