How Can You Help Save Fireflies

If you’ve noticed that your backyard isn’t as brightly lit by the flickering fireflies as it used to be, you’re right: most likely not. Fireflies are disappearing from fields, swamps and forests around the world .

There may not be data to quantify the decline, but empirical evidence is there. Christopher Heckscher, an entomologist at the University of Delaware, told USA Today that he hunted rare fireflies, and there are some described by entomologists in the early 20th century that he cannot find, including the firefly that was commonly found in Brandywine. River watershed, part of the Delaware River watershed in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.

No one is 100% sure what caused the disappearance, but there are several theories.

Why are fireflies disappearing?

Most firefly species thrive in rotting wood and litter near small water sources, according to Firefly Conservation & Research , a nonprofit run by a Texas-certified artisan naturalist and firefly researcher. Insects that belong to the beetle family tend to live in warm and humid environments anywhere near a water source, such as a stream, pond, or river. They even enjoy shallow immersion in the ground, which makes it retain water longer than the surrounding area.

However, the favorite habitats of fireflies are disappearing. According to the site,

The problem is … our open fields and forests are asphalted and our waterways are getting more developed and noisy boat traffic. As their habitat disappears from housing and commercial development, the number of fireflies is dwindling.

And that’s not to mention logging, pollution and pesticides – all of which destroy habitat and prey for fireflies – and light pollution.

Fireflies use their lights as a way to communicate, and scientists have observed that synchronous fireflies – species that synchronize their flashes of light to find a mate – lose synchronization for a few strokes when a car headlight blinks, according to a conservation group. Light from shops, street lamps and homes can also affect flash timing, resulting in fewer fireflies next season.

Fireflies also use their flashes as a warning signal. Interrupting or hiding these outbreaks makes insects more vulnerable to predators.

How can you help

If you want to help these glowing little buggers survive, there are a few things you can do, courtesy of the Conservation Group :

• Turn off the outside light. This will help the fireflies find a mate, which will be beneficial for populations next summer.
• Plant some native trees in your yard. Some species of larvae grow in rotten logs and bedding under the canopy, so let natural debris accumulate around them.
• Add water features to your landscape. Most fireflies thrive in stagnant water. However, this does not apply to swimming pools: fireflies eat larvae, snails and smaller insects around natural bodies of water and streams, and these food sources do not live in chemically treated environments.
• Discard chemicals. Even if fireflies do not directly ingest the chemical pesticide, they are more likely to ingest other poisoned insects. Choose natural options instead, especially lawn fertilizers.
• Don’t mow your lawn too hard. There are a lot of fireflies hanging out here during the day, and frequent haircuts can get in the way. In fact, planting tall grasses can attract even more fireflies to your yard.

As USA Today Heckscher, a Delaware entomologist, said,

“I want my children to be able to catch fireflies with their children. The loss of these things is not something that will affect us today, but the rest of the time. “