They were very common in Kentucky. Little winkers would start in shortly before dusk and keep it up for a couple of hours, then they would go nest wherever lightning bugs nest. The perennial kids’ project of catching hundreds in a bottle (with or without ventilation holes) never was very satisfying because their glow plugs were just about pooped out when the other lightning bugs went to bed.
I notice you are speaking in past tense! See what I mean?