Aliza Chasan, CBS News | “Firefly fans who’d like to see lightning bugs year-round are out of luck. The insect, which is a type of beetle, is usually seen only between spring and summer, with different species emerging at different times. The first fireflies of the season come out later in the year as you …
Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine | “For a male firefly, attempting to mate with the wrong species is unproductive as well as embarrassing. That’s why each type of firefly has its own unique flash color and/or pattern.” Keep reading at https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/days-of-dragonflies-fireflies-and-fly-fishing.
Bridget Reed Morawski, Washington Post | “Fireflies and their bright backsides bring a bit of whimsy and beauty to our backyards. While some cultures link their glow with the magic of ghosts and witches, for many Americans they evoke fond memories of lazy, warm summer evenings spent chasing them or just enjoying their bioluminescent show.” Keep …
Johan Chester, Post and Courier | “On a warm May evening in the Francis Beidler Forest, nestled in the Four Hole Swamp, the color of the woods slowly drained away as the sky turned from dark blue to black.” Keep reading at https://www.postandcourier.com/news/special_reports/south-carolina-fireflies-lightning-bugs/article_d92a0f3e-f35c-11ee-a7d2-7fb8f35197a5.html.
By Richard Joyce, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist As lightning bug season warms up in the more southern parts of the United States, firefly experts and aficionados feel excited, but also a bit frantic. The adult flight period of most firefly species lasts just a matter of weeks, and the phrase that often comes to mind …
Katie Bohn, Penn State News | “Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. New research has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations.” Keep reading at https://www.psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/firefly-populations-risk-due-climate-change-urban-development/.
By Candace Fallon, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Interested in participating in a firefly community science project, but not sure which one to pick? We get it—with several different projects occurring all over the country, it can be tricky to figure out! Firefly Watch used to be the firefly community science project in the US, …
By Kevin Burls, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist It’s no secret that water brings life to the desert. In Nevada, mountain streams and desert springs support plants and animals both common and rare, including insects and other invertebrates. These springs and streams can support diverse insect communities in the middle of what feels like very inhospitable …
While flashing adult fireflies can still be found in a few corners of the country, lightning bug season is mostly over for the year. This season was a dizzying one, with threatened fireflies across a wide geography receiving much needed attention. Several field excursions targeted species with Data Deficient Red List statuses, but this post …
Amy McKeever, National Geographic | “Experts offer tips on how to make a home for the beloved bioluminescent insects in your own backyard—from creating a microhabitat to keeping your lights off.” Keep reading at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fireflies-tips-to-protect-from-threats.
This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.
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