The Say’s firefly can now officially be made the Hoosier state’s insect after Senate Enrolled Act 236 was approved by the Indiana House on Tuesday in a vote of 93-3.
Students at West Lafayette’s Cumberland Elementary School who created the idea to designate a state insect have advocated for the proposal since its conception.
Governor Holcomb, who has vowed to sign SEA 236 into law, said:
“I know this bill bugged some of my legislative friends, but the truth is it’s a big deal to young students around the state who have reached out to us in support—particularly students from Cumberland Elementary School in West Lafayette. They’ve shown incredible perseverance and have advocated for the Say’s Firefly to be the official state insect for several years.”
“Beyond the satisfaction these kids will feel when they look out on a hot Indiana summer night and see the state insect flashing away, the real beauty of this bill is the civic engagement it inspired in our youngest citizens. It’s taught them a great deal about how our lawmaking process works—and that if they are engaged, they can make a real difference.”
The inspiration for naming the Say’s Firefly as the official state insect came from Thomas Say, an eminent naturalist who lived and worked in New Harmony in Posey County.
The bill states: The designation of a state insect would provide a unique teaching opportunity for educators and a point of pride for citizens of Indiana.
Considered the father of American entomology, Say named and described “Say’s Firefly” in 1824.
