By Candace Fallon, Senior Endangered Species Conservation BiologistInterested 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, but …
By Kevin Burls, Endangered Species Conservation BiologistIt’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 habitat, …
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. LINK: Https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fireflies-tips-to-protect-from-threatsNotice: Below is a list of 1 important links included on this page.1. Https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fireflies-tips-to-protect-from-threatsPlease note that while screen readers have …
Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine | “In the dark of a June evening, standing in the black mud of a New Jersey bog, an hour’s drive from home, Christopher Heckscher was alert to any flicker of light. He is an explorer, though this wilderness lies in one of the most densely populated regions of the United …
Overlooked bioluminescent beetles “I’ve lived in Florida for decades and have never seen fireflies.”“I’ve seen them up north, but never here.”“Fireflies? I don’t think we have fireflies in Florida…”These are common statements I hear when I bring up the topic of fireflies in the Sunshine state. In reality, there are over fifty species of fireflies …
Monday, May 1st, 20231:00 PM to 4:30 PM ESTTuesday, May 2nd, 20231:00 PM to 4:30 PM ESTWednesday, May 3rd, 20231:00 PM to 4:00 PM ESTThe Xerces Society is offering a free, online course on identification of fireflies of the U.S. and Canada. This 3-day course will familiarize participants with North American firefly genera (north of …
Starting this spring, conservation professionals and volunteers can join a new opportunity to study and protect a beloved group of insects that brings magic to the night: fireflies. The Firefly Atlas invites participants from all backgrounds to look closely at fireflies and to share their sightings to inform conservation. LINK: Firefly AtlasRead the full article: https://www.xerces.org/blog/new-firefly-atlas-will-put-beloved-beetles-on-map.LINK: Https://www.xerces.org/blog/new-firefly-atlas-will-put-beloved-beetles-on-mapNotice: …
Are you interested in observing and documenting fireflies, but aren’t sure where to start? Between scientific names, flash pattern measurements, and insect anatomy terms, fireflies can be an overwhelming subject! Read on for some tips on equipment, what to pay attention to, and how to stay safe.Ready to survey for fireflies? Read through the participant …
On a rainy evening in late May, I find myself squelching through the mud of a floodplain in northeast Georgia, soaking my pants from the wet grass as I get in place for nightfall. Most people would probably avoid going into a marsh at night on an early summer evening, but I am on a …
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