Firefly Conservation and Manage- Municate with Pheromones), and Glow-Worms (Whose • Use Paths to Avoid Trampling Fireflies

• Plant native grasses, shrubs, and trees of vary- For More Information What Are Fireflies? ing heights. Xerces Society Firefly Resources Fireflies are actually beetles. They fall into three catego- • Enhance moisture availability by planting for The Xerces Society has a number of resources that ries—flashing fireflies, day-active fireflies (which- com shade or adding a water feature. provide guidance on firefly conservation and manage- municate with pheromones), and glow-worms (whose • Use paths to avoid trampling fireflies. ment, including the publication Conserving the Jewels of females glow to attract mostly nonluminescent males). the Night: Guidelines for Protecting Fireflies in the United More than 2,000 species have been described glob- Eliminate unnecessary lighting that contributes to States and Canada. ally, with about 170 known from the United States and artificial light at night, and reduce the effect of lights Canada. Anecdotal reports of local declines are grow- that must stay on. Read more about Xerces’ firefly conservation campaign ing, and while monitoring data are scarce, researchers • Use motion detectors or timers to limit the at xerces.org/endangered-species/fireflies. believe some firefly species may be at risk of extinction. amount of time lights shine. • Shield lights so they only illuminate the Other Resources What Fireflies Need intended area, such as a pathway. Fireflies, Glow-Worms, and Lightning Bugs by Lynn Faust In general, fireflies need food, shelter, moisture, dark • Switch out bright outdoor lighting for red bulbs (2017) provides identification and natural history of nights, and protection from pesticides. Fireflies spend or cover existing bulbs with red filters. the fireflies in the eastern and central United States most of their lives as larvae, hunting for soft-bodied • Close curtains at night to reduce the amount of and Canada. invertebrates such as snails, slugs, and earthworms. indoor light that spills outdoors. Firefly larvae are voracious predators, although the Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies by Sara adults of many species do not feed. Practices that Contribute to a community science project, which Lewis (2016) offers an introduction to the science and affect firefly prey—such as using pesticides in your can help researchers identify where fireflies occur. wonder of fireflies, with a key to the most commonly yard to combat slugs or grubs—can diminish firefly • Help researchers track flashing firefly popu- encountered genera in North America. Firefly food sources and harm their populations. Pesticides lations by adopting a site and monitoring it can also kill fireflies directly or damage their habi- all summer through Firefly Watch, hosted by tat. Larvae and glow-worm females are not able to fly, Massachusetts Audubon: www.massaudubon. Conservation making them especially vulnerable to ground distur- org/get-involved/citizen-science/firefly-watch. bances such as trampling. For species that are active • Submit observations of flashingPyractomena A Guide to Protecting the Jewels of the Night at night, dark skies are especially important—artifi- fireflies in the West through the Western Firefly cial light can interfere with their communication and Project, a program with the Utah Museum of The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects the Fireflies are some of our most beloved insects: cele- reduce their ability to mate successfully. Leaf litter, Natural History: nhmu.utah.edu/fireflies. natural world by conserving invertebrates and their habitat. brated in art, music, and literature, and contributing vegetation, and rotting logs can provide important • Record your firefly sightings and get help with Established in 1971, the Society is a trusted source for science-based to numerous advances in medicine and our under- shelter for fireflies at all life stages. Perhaps most criti- identification through the Fireflies of the USA information and conservation advice. Our team draws together experts from the fields of habitat restoration, entomology, plant standing of evolution, genetics, and ecology. For many cal is the presence of moisture; although fireflies are and Canada iNaturalist project, an initia- ecology, education, farming, and conservation biology with a single people, their incredible bioluminescent light shows found in many different habitats, from riparian forests tive of Fireflyers International Network: www. passion: protecting the life that sustains us. bring up fond memories of childhood. to desert canyons and overgrown lots, moisture is the inaturalist.org/projects/fireflies-of-the-usa-and key element. Both fireflies and their prey depend on it. -canada. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 628 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97232 While they are well loved, fireflies appear to be Tel (855) 232-6639 Fax (503) 233-6794 declining. Fireflies—also known as lightningbugs or What You Can Do Advocate for fireflies and their needs in your community. xerces.org glow-worms—face many of the same threats as other Protect, enhance, or create habitat for fireflies. • Work with your municipality to pass policies Thank you to The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, California insects, including habitat loss and degradation, light • Avoid pesticide use. Seek nonchemical pest- that promote firefly-friendly practices. Community Foundation, Carroll Petrie Foundation, The Dudley pollution, exposure to pesticides, invasive species, and management options. • Work with local parks and natural areas to pro- Foundation, the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust, White Pine climate change. • Minimize activities that could cause trampling tect firefly habitat. Fund, Whole Foods Market, and Xerces Society members for their generous support of our work. Thank you to Terry Priest for allowing of larvae and flightless females, which live • Join or start a local chapter of the International use of the photo that inspired our cover image. By carefully considering the needs of fireflies and how underground and at ground level. Dark Sky Association: www.darksky.org. Illustrations by Ink Dwell studio; © 2020 Jane Kim our actions could affect these animals, we can take • Set aside natural areas of your yard that provide • Ensure firefly-watching sites are protected from Brochure © 2020 by The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation steps to ensure that their lights continue to shine for important habitat features, such as downed artificial light at night, trampling, and other 19-060_01 future generations. wood, leaf debris, and unmowed vegetation. negative impacts. 1. Not all flashes are friendly—femalePhoturis 5. Diverse vegetation of differing heights increases fireflies mimic the flash of other species to lure moisture retention and provides places to perch males as prey. for fireflies like this Douglas fir glow-worm 2. All firefly larvae, like this juvenilePyractomena , (Pterotus obscuripennis). are voracious predators of soft-bodied inverte- 6. Fireflies that are active at dusk or after dark, like brates, including snails, slugs, and earthworms. the blue ghost fireflyPhausis ( reticulata), need 3. Leaf litter, underground burrows, rotting logs, dark nights to communicate with each other. and even stones provide important microhabitat 7. The big dipper fireflyPhotinus ( pyralis), which is 7 for firefly larvae and flightless adult females such active at dusk with a distinct J-shaped flash as this California pink glow-worm (Microphotus pattern, is one of the most commonly encoun- angustus). tered species. 4. Moisture is critically important to fireflies, 8. Trees with deeply furrowed bark provide summer whether in the form of permanent water sources shade and winter habitat to the day-active 8 like streams or more ephemeral sources such winter fireflyEllychnia ( corrusca), which as puddles and dew. overwinters as an adult.

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