Johan Chester, Post and Courier | “On a warm May evening in the Francis Beidler Forest, nestled in the Four Hole Swamp, the color of the woods slowly drained away as the sky turned from dark blue to black.” Keep reading at https://www.postandcourier.com/news/special_reports/south-carolina-fireflies-lightning-bugs/article_d92a0f3e-f35c-11ee-a7d2-7fb8f35197a5.html.
Katie Bohn, Penn State News | “Catching fireflies is an iconic summer experience for many people living in North America, but the flickering beetles are on the decline. New research has identified factors that may be contributing to declining populations.” Keep reading at https://www.psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/firefly-populations-risk-due-climate-change-urban-development/.
By Candace Fallon, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist Interested in participating in a firefly community science project, but not sure which one to pick? We get it—with several different projects occurring all over the country, it can be tricky to figure out! Firefly Watch used to be the firefly community science project in the US, …
Amy McKeever, National Geographic | “Experts offer tips on how to make a home for the beloved bioluminescent insects in your own backyard—from creating a microhabitat to keeping your lights off.” Keep reading at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/fireflies-tips-to-protect-from-threats.
Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine | “In the dark of a June evening, standing in the black mud of a New Jersey bog, an hour’s drive from home, Christopher Heckscher was alert to any flicker of light. He is an explorer, though this wilderness lies in one of the most densely populated regions of the United …
Sarah Bowman, Indianapolis Star | “In North America, there are more than 170 species of Lampyridae, or light-emitting beetles, and there are more than 2,000 types worldwide. And they’ve been around for millions of years. But you may feel as if you are seeing fewer flashes across the night sky compared to when you were …
This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.
Copyright © 2025 The Xerces Society •1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 • Portland OR 97232 USA