Pennsylvanians Asked for Help in Conservation of Fireflies

One group is asking people to help count fireflies where they live

FirefliesPhoto byRajesh RajputonUnsplash

Summer evenings in Pennsylvania aren't the same without the soft glow of fireflies in the fields or your backyard. Unfortunately, people are noticing fewer fireflies than there were years ago.

There are multiple reasons why this is happening, according to Dr. Casey Sclar, H.O. Smith Endowed Director of The Arboretum at Penn State. “The finger is pointed sometimes at light pollution. But it’s also often pointed at our use of pesticides.”

Irrigation and housing trends are also reasons why you may be seeing fewer fireflies, according to Sclar. Also, some species of fireflies are becoming endangered.

“It’s something where we need to pay attention in order to preserve and conserve that resource," Sclar explained. 

In an effort to better understand firefly trends, one group is encouraging people to get outside and count the insects. The Firefly Watch Project with Mass Audubon is asking citizen scientists to count fireflies where they live and submit the data online. 

“The protocol’s really simple," says Alex Dohan, Firefly Watch Project coordinator. "You go out once a week for as long as you can or want to in the summer and do three, ten-second counts in one location looking for fireflies.”

Dohan is asking people to repeat this activity once a week in the same spot, although even one or two weeks of data is greatly appreciated.

This project is also a great way to involve kids in a summertime science project. 

“It’s a great way to have kids come out because as soon as they count they can start helping with this project," says Dohan.

Along with participating in the Firefly Watch Project, there are numerous things people can do to help protect fireflies. This includes avoiding using pesticides in your yard, limiting the lights you have outside, and planting native flowers and trees to provide fireflies with a natural habitat. 

Fireflies provide numerous benefits to our environment. Experts hope that greater awareness of this issue will help in their conservation.

“It’s become more obvious and more and more people are learning that as the climate changes, various habitats become more threatened," Dohan said. "And going out there and investigating raises awareness and it gives folks a sense of belonging, which makes them want to care for a place. Whether it’s your backyard, or a neighborhood park, or maybe you’re just looking out your windows and you can see fireflies.”

Here are some backyard tips from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help sustain fireflies:

• Leave leaf litter to provide shelter and increase soil moisture, which can attract firefly larvae food sources.
• Mow less and allow grass to grow a little higher to provide more shelter.
• Don't use pesticides that can kill fireflies, their prey, and their habitat.
• Keep the area as dark as possible with motion-detection lights and closing curtains and blinds.
• Don't use flashlights or headlamps when searching for fireflies as it disrupts mating.
• Plant native flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees of varying heights. Pine trees provide habitats and help protect against light pollution.
• If you have the space, consider providing water sources like a pond or a water feature.
• Participate in community science events to help fireflies.