Have you noticed a decline in fireflies this Summer? I have, but so have scientists. Nearly 1 in 3 firefly species in the United States and Canada may be threatened with extinction, firefly experts estimate in a recent comprehensive assessment. Surveys abroad show declines from mangroves in Malaysia to grasslands in England. New research is shedding light on how these ethereal insects are struggling to thrive in the brightly lit world we have built around them.

And the problem is bigger than a single type of bug. In so many spots where scientists look, insects of all sorts are vanishing, with potentially disastrous results. Populations are plunging in Germany and the Netherlands, in Puerto Rico and the American West, leading to fears of a potential-though-still hotly debated “bugpocalypse,” which could unravel food webs for birds and other insect-eating animals and cause calamity for farmers who need pollinators to grow crops.

Fireflies spend their youth in the soil, as larvae. Habitat destruction from development, cattle, all-terrain vehicles, and other soil-disrupting human activities are contributing to firefly population declines. Another cause is artificial light at night (ALAN).

The adult fireflies live for only a few weeks – with one thing on their minds. Fireflies flicker at each other to find their mates. Some fireflies start flashing at dusk. Others wait until midnight. Some wink at each other with a double flash; others a triple. There are more than 2,000 species of fireflies globally, each doing a different dance.

Brightening the night with artificial light not only makes it harder for fireflies to see each other, it may also trick them into thinking it is daytime. While some species remain abundant, overall, we risk the loss of firefly biodiversity. Despite the threats, no firefly species is protected under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering petitions to safeguard five species, including the Bethany Beach firefly.

How to protect fireflies:

• Let the grass grow. Leaving parts of your lawn unmowed and with leaf litter helps the ground retain moisture, creating a better habitat for firefly larvae.
• Minimize lights at night. To reduce light pollution, only turn on outdoor lighting when you’re using it. And consider installing lights with motion sensors and timers.

Read the full story here.

Image: Pixabay.com

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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