Climate change, habitat loss threaten Pa.’s state insect. Here’s how residents can help

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s state insect, the firefly, is in trouble.

But Lehigh Valley residents can help — through some habit changes, as well as 10 minutes of fieldwork once a week.

• The Firefly Watch Community Science Project allows residents to record and report their firefly sightings
• Fireflies — Pa.'s state insect — are under threat due to habitat loss and other factors
• The state's firefly season runs through mid-August

“Fireflies face a variety of threats, but we are learning that there are ways that we can help them, including turning your outdoor lights off at night, especially during the summer firefly season,” according to officials from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

State environmental officials, along with conservationists across the United States, are partnering this summer for a firefly observation program called the Firefly Watch Community Science Project.

Throughout the commonwealth’s firefly season, which runs into August, officials are asking residents to participate and log their firefly sightings so scientists and researchers can help boost the threatened insects.

“With your help, we hope to learn about the geographic distribution of fireflies and what environmental factors impact their abundance,” according to the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

“Anyone in North America can participate in Firefly Watch. All you need to do is spend at least 10 minutes once a week during firefly season observing fireflies in one location (your backyard or in a nearby field).

“All firefly sightings—or lack thereof—are valuable.”

Fireflies aren’t flies at all

It might be surprising to find out fireflies aren’t flies at all — they’re actually beetles that light up using a chemical reaction in their lower abdomen.

“Their larvae, sometimes called glow-worms, feed on other invertebrates — especially soft-bodied species like snails, slugs, and worms,” according to the state DCNR.

“These preferences can make them a welcome addition to gardens and mushroom production yards.”

There are about 2,000 species of fireflies across the globe.

“These insects live in a variety of warm environments, as well as in more temperate regions, and are a familiar sight on summer evenings,” according to National Geographic.

“Fireflies love moisture and often live in humid regions of Asia and the Americas. In drier areas, they are found around wet or damp areas that retain moisture.”

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, firefly populations are declining, in part due to habitat loss and degradation, light pollution, pesticide use, overharvesting and climate change.

How residents can help

The Firefly Watch Community Science Project has four steps. First, residents choose a location and collect details about it.

“To be most useful, a location site should be fairly small and cohesive," according to the project’s website. "It should be no larger than the area you can see easily while standing in one spot.

"A back yard that includes shrubs and trees can be considered one habitat, but a pasture bordering that yard would be considered a different habitat. Look around and get to know the location.”

Participants should record the habitat type (was it mowed recently?), the temperature, precipitation, wind, cloud cover and the presence of artificial light.

The second step is to “get to know” the fireflies.

“All fireflies belong to the same beetle family, although three groups have different ways of attracting mates,” according to the website.

“Some fireflies make quick flashes, while other fireflies give long-lasting glows and still others use invisible chemical signals.”

Then, residents count the fireflies and observe flash patterns before the final step, submitting those notes.

Other tips

If field research isn’t an option, there are other ways to support the threatened insects.

Here, via the state DCNR, are ways residents can help boost firefly populations:

• Leave leaf litter to provide shelter and increase soil moisture, which can attract firefly larvae food sources 
• Mow less and let grass grow a little higher to provide more shelter
• Don’t use pesticides, which can kill fireflies, their prey and habitat
• Keep areas 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 habitat and help block light pollution
• If you have the space, consider providing water sources such as a pond or water features
• Participate in community science events to help fireflies