Fireflies


Common name –  
Firefly

  • Fireflies are bioluminescent beetles
  • Firefly populations are sensitive to environmental changes, making them good indicators of overall ecosystem health

Habit –  Fireflies are nocturnal, few species are diurnal

Habitat –

  • Forests near rivers, marshy areas, wetlands
  • Fireflies thrive where the air and the ground are moist

Food –

  • Larvae feed on soft-bodied insects like snails, slugs and worms
  • Adult feed on pollen, nectar and small insects

Life Cycle:  Egg, larva, Pupa and Adult

Threat –

  • Clearing of forests, specially near rivers wetlands
  • Use of chemicals and pesticides
  • Light pollution or Artificial light at night (ALAN)

Interesting Fact –

  • All firefly species bioluminesce in their larval stage
  • Adult fireflies use their glow as signal for courtship
  • Firefly larvae glow to warn predators of toxic chemical defences
  • Fireflies light up to compete with rivals or after they’ve been rejected by a suitor
  • Their glow comes from an abdominal organ called the lantern
  • Fireflies spend majority of their life (1-2 years) as larvae called glow-worm and only 2-3 months as adult.
  • Many firefly species possess chemical compounds that make them unappealing to predators.
  • Firefly species are threatened or close to extinction

How you can help

  • Let there be dark, use warm, dull and minimum lights at night
  • Protect their habitat

Fireflies Lifecycle