Firefly Sightings
- Catching fireflies is an important part of summer.
- Help us track where people are seeing fireflies in their backyard.
- Submit your sightings on the map and connect with others who spotted fireflies in your area.
Submit Your sightings
About Light Pollution
"Darkness is as essential to our biological welfare, to our internal clockwork, as light itself." - Verlyn Klinkenborg, National Geographic, Nov. 2008
Fireflies communicate in a language of light.
They flash to signal for mates. Scientists believe they may flash to drive away predators, claim territory, and communicate with others of their species as well—although the finer points of their language have never been studied extensively. One thing’s for sure, though: without those flashing lights, there could be no fireflies.
And we may be getting there sooner than you’d think. Anecdotal evidence suggests firefly populations are dwindling; in some areas they’ve crashed dramatically. Loss of habitat, poisonous pesticides and fertilizers, and suburban sprawl are all likely culprits.
Another is light pollution.
Along with increased development comes increased artificial illumination at night. In rural areas where the only night lights once came from the moon and stars, suburban sprawl has brought extensive exterior lighting along roads, in private yards, and in commercial centers. It can be so bright that residents can no longer see the stars at night.
Scientists aren’t completely sure how this is affecting fireflies—extensive studies on the effects of light pollution on firefly populations haven’t been completed yet. But firefly behavior has been observed to be affected by bright lights at night. Fireflies typically won’t make an appearance where there are bright ambient lights, such as full moon evenings. If artificial light interrupts fireflies’ ability to signal each other, it could disrupt mating—meaning fewer fireflies will be born each year.
If you keep lights on outside your house and in your garden or yard at night, you may be unknowingly contributing to the decline in firefly populations in your area. Luckily, it isn’t difficult to be part of the solution instead. All you need to do is turn off exterior lights in the evenings when fireflies are active. This may help firefly populations increase in your area.
Essentials Field Guide to Insects
How to Catch Lightning Bugs
Tips on how best to catch lightning bugs or fireflies. | More
Creating Firefly Habitats
What kind of habitat do fireflies like? Why do they like standing water? | More
Share Your Firefly Story
This is the place to tell us how you brought fireflies back in your yard. | More
How to Help Fireflies
There are a few things you could do to help to restore fireflies in your backyard | More