Could the magical glow of fireflies on warm summer nights soon vanish from our lives? A 2024 study published in Science of the Total Environment analyzed over 24,000 citizen-submitted surveys from Firefly Watch and found troubling signs: firefly populations across North America are in decline.
Habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and light pollution are major culprits, while even firefly tourism is emerging as a threat. But there’s still hope. With conservation efforts, we may not be the last generation to grow up with their flickering light.
Intrigued?
Click through the following gallery to see what’s behind the decline and what can still be done.