Fireflies

5. depending on where one grew up, one calls creatures fireflies (in the east and west) or lightening bugs (in the south/midwest). Same concept applied to pop vs soda. (two words)
7. approximately two months adult firefly time
8. bell peppers aren't the only ones sporting variation of display
11. perhaps the firefly equivalent of online dating (two words, adjective/verb, similar showcase displayed at summer Olympics 1984-2017)
12. this defense mechanism describes when fireflies ooze a toxic substance to glue attackers mouth shut (two words, second=verb)
13. each species visual Morse code displayed through this form

1. nearby species-rich firefly state in the US
2. specie classification, despite namesake
3. common summertime firefly species, named after their J like light stroke, resembling this constellation (two words)
4. only content fireflies do not live on
6. propagation strategy which puts all resources into maximizing reproduction at the expense of future life fasting fireflies model
9. offering inspiration for the lightening industry, fireflies trump incandescent and LED light with their energy to light conversion (%)
10. food of the carnivorous larvae