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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA question for DUERS from Florida and other warm southern states.
When I was a child growing up, I used to see large swarms of fireflies come out as the sky was darkening and fly around for two or three hours, their little lights flicking on and off. They were somewhat of a nuisance for my parents because they would get crushed against the windshields and grills of their vehicles.
I guess I noticed it a while ago, but placed no meaning to it. Today, I don't see many fireflies at all, maybe occasionally, a small few.
What have those of you in the states that I referenced noticed? Could the change be due to pesticides? Changes in the environment that are hostile to the bugs?

ExciteBike66
(2,677 posts)I am from Connecticut, and I remember well the fireflies (lightning bugs, we called them).
Down here in central FL, I NEVER see these. Now the only things that spatter my car windshield are the love-bugs.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)This gives a pretty good summary. Humans are likely on the list too, eventually.
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/why-are-fireflies-disappearing
But like bees, amphibians and butterflies, fireflies are disappearing. While the exact reason isn't known, three main factors are suspected: Habitat loss, toxic chemicals (which tend to linger in aquatic environments where fireflies start their lives) and light pollution.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Truly sad, they were the highlights of an end to a summer day, just watching them fly around.
Orsino
(37,428 posts)I saw one firefly in the grass the other morning, but none were visible in the woods.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)You may live in a more rural location that I do, but I have been at my brothers farm in the country and I don't notice them there either, even in the nearby woods.
dawg
(10,777 posts)June bugs, too.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,690 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I go back about once every summer but never see them anymore. I never really thought about it until you mentioned it. Kind of sad, actually.
Solly Mack
(93,701 posts)You mainly see them after they emerge to mate - all the display of light.
The brighter the area the less effective those calls to mate are - so you see them more where there is less light. Even car lights change their light patterns (for calling mates).
Habitat loss due to development - they need decaying wood, wooded areas, and also near ponds and streams - leaf litter to survive in the larvae stage.
Pesticides are also a problem.
MaryMagdaline
(7,931 posts)Don't think I've ever seen them in Florida. Been here 36 years
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)but I lived in MD for a little while in my youth and visited my cousins many times near Baltimore. Some of my favorite memories were of catching fireflies with them in the summer. I've lived back in FL for almost 40 years and never seen one here.
But I used to see clouds of love bugs everywhere during the love bug season. I can't remember the last time I saw a love bug.
MaryMagdaline
(7,931 posts)Middle of state, but you're right, I don't know if love bugs are as prevalent as they once were.
We used to catch fire flies in jars in Maryland. Really cool.
NickB79
(19,737 posts)Really prevalent in grassy ditches when it's been raining a lot.
mcar
(43,840 posts)I have rarely seen them in my 25 years in FL.