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RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

2. Why are fireflies disappearing?

Reply to Blue_true (Original post)

Thu May 17, 2018, 02:19 PM

May 2018

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

Do you have a summer firefly memory? I have many, having grown up next to a wetland. I knew it was finally summer when I would be outside playing after dinner and those little flying lights appeared. I imagined each light was a fairy with trailing long blonde hair like my own at the time.

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.

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A question for DUERS from Florida and other warm southern states. [View all] Blue_true May 2018 OP

I have this same thought regularly, although slightly modified ExciteBike66 May 2018 #1

Why are fireflies disappearing? RKP5637 May 2018 #2

Interesting. I noticed from observation, you gave some science. Blue_true May 2018 #4

It's a little early yet in Georgia, after a long cool spell. Orsino May 2018 #3

I didn't notice many last summer, or the one before. Blue_true May 2018 #7

They are less common in Northern Georgia than they were back in the day. dawg May 2018 #5

I'll see the occasional solo lightning bug but not the swarms I saw growing up in Maryland. nt Tommy_Carcetti May 2018 #6

I grew up in upstate New York and I remember them. smirkymonkey May 2018 #8

Urban lights, development, and pesticides do change where they mate/survival rate. Solly Mack May 2018 #9

I saw them as a child in Georgia and Maryland MaryMagdaline May 2018 #10

I was born in Florida OriginalGeek May 2018 #11

Uggh! When the oranges are ripe - driving through MaryMagdaline May 2018 #14

I'm up North (MN), but we have tons of them in summer NickB79 May 2018 #12

I remember them well growing up in PA mcar May 2018 #13