Iowa Creatures of the Night #1-Fireflies Mystery Cache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

a1bob66: This series of caches is too far gone to repair so I will plan a revival. Time for a new start on this trail.
Thanks for the fun.

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Hidden : 8/20/2014
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Night Cache

As you walk the trail at night you are almost sure to encounter countless fireflies bringing small dots of light to your journey. Follow the reflective trail to the cache but don't let the fireflies lead you off course. Be sure to follow the night cache directions below to have a successful cache experience.

Iowa Creatures of the Night Series

#1 Fireflies

Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers.[2] About 2,000 species of firefly are found in temperate and tropical environments. Many are in marshes or in wet, wooded areas where their larvae have abundant sources of food. These larvae emit light and often are called "glowworms", in particular, in Eurasia. In the Americas, "glow worm" also refers to the related Phengodidae. In many species, both male and female fireflies have the ability to fly, but in some species, the females are flightless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly
http://www.byteland.org/firefly/


FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FIREFLIES


•There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies, a type of beetle. Despite their name, only some species produce adults that glow. Fireflies in the western United States, for example, lack the ability to produce light.

•Males that do glow use their flash to attract females. Each species has its own pattern of light flashing.

•In some places at some times, fireflies synchronize their flashing.

•Firefly light can be yellow, green or orange.

•Firefly larvae may glow, even some that live underground or under water. They use the light to communicate to predators that they aren’t tasty (they produce unpalatable, defensive steroids for protection).

•Larvae are carnivorous and particularly enjoy snails. Adult fireflies usually live off of nectar and pollen, but some don’t feed at all.

•A few firefly species are also carnivorous as adults. They don’t eat snails, though—they eat fireflies of other genera.

•Fireflies are among the many species that are bioluminescent, meaning that they can produce their own light.

•A chemical reaction within the firefly’s light organ produces the light—oxygen combines with calcium, adenosine triphosphate (ATP—the energy-carrying molecule of all cells) and a chemical called luciferin, when an enzyme called luciferase is present.

•The light is the most efficient light in the world. Nearly 100 One hundred percent of the energy in the chemical reaction is emitted as light.

•Luciferase has proven to be a useful chemical in scientific research, food safety testing and forensic tests. It can be used to detect levels of ATP in cells, for example.

•When luciferase was first discovered, the only way to obtain the chemical was from fireflies themselves. Today, synthetic luciferase is available, but some companies still harvest fireflies, which may be contributing to their decline.

•Other factors that may be contributing to firefly decline include light pollution and habitat destruction—if a field where fireflies live is paved over, the fireflies don’t migrate to another field, they just disappear forever.

•Observing fireflies in your backyard can help scientists learn more about these insects and why they’re disappearing.

Night Cache Instructions


#1-Fireflies-All Markers and the container are on the Left (South) side of the trail.
1) The posted coordinates are the starting location.
2) The start location will be marked with two(2) reflective markers.

Start=2


3) The trail will be marked with one reflective marker.

Trail=1


4) The final location will be marked with three(3) reflective markers.

Final=3


5) From the start location, use your flashlight to locate the start markers(2). Look down the trail with your flashlight for the next marker(1). Follow the trail of markers until you find the final markers(3). Find the container and sign the log.
6) The coordinates for the final location is posted in the waypoints to aid navigation and direction.

Night Cache Notes


1) This cache is recommended to be found in the dark.
2) You should pack good flashlights with extra batteries.
3) Safety First. Always bring a friend on a night cache.
4) Give yourself plenty of time and be aware of the trail use times.
5) The markers for this cache are all on the same side of the trail.
6) This cache is on public use property and all rules and laws are to be followed.
7) Cache at your own risk.
8) The final coordinates are listed in the waypoints to allow daytime discovery of this cache.

Please remember that all caches in the Jackson County Conservation Areas are CITO locations.

As always, be safe, be courteous, be respectful and have fun.

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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Unir sha

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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