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