All across the world, firefly populations have encountered decline. Even in places like Malaysia and Thailand, where tourists travel to see the flashing lights of the firefly populations of the Mae Klong River. However, in recent times, as the number of fireflies have decreased, tourists and scientists alike have begun to wonder why this is so? Why have fireflies begun to disappear across the globe?

One aspect of their disappearance comes from the destruction and human interference of their habitat. However, another factor in their disappearance comes from the negative influence of light pollution. This is because light pollution can blind or confuse fireflies who depend on the darkness to flash their lights attract mates. When the light of nearby buildings or other industrialized structures infiltrate the habitat of fireflies, fireflies cannot perform their mating process effectively.

In Thailand, along the Mae Klong River, the locals have said that the firefly population used to be so large that they were able to travel down the river at night, by depending on the light produced by the fireflies, who served as beacons of light along the way. At this time, it is expected that the firefly population in the area, has declined by two-thirds. Thus, this example, proves the scientists’ hypothesis even further, by helping reveal how human development and artificial lights have caused fireflies to decline.

Unfortunately, scientists are still working with very little information, so much so that even the number of firefly species is still unknown. It is suspected that the number of species is around 2,000, though new species are still being discovered.

Fireflies spend between a year to two years as grubs, but spend only two or three weeks as adults. It is only during the time of their mating season, when one can see all the glowing lights of the fireflies, flashing in the darkness. This phenomenon could disappear if the correct steps are not taken to lessen light pollution. Please join Starry Night Lights, to take the appropriate measures to stop light pollution, before we lose our ability to see the stars of the night sky and the twinkling flashing lights of fireflies.

To view a video on Thailand’s fireflies click here