Fireflies are speculated to be going extinct. Although this is partially true, not all species of fireflies are going extinct. Out of all 1,700+ species of fireflies, only around 18 are threatened with extinction. The idea of fireflies being gone from our lives is still far away in this lifetime. Many think fireflies are extinct because few see them, especially during the summer, when they are most active.

Fireflies usually come out while the weather is humid and moist, but the fireflies are attempting to adapt to the environment due to the climate changing too quickly. Others go to another region where they can adapt more easily, but that’s also because they are losing their natural habitat. Around 40% of insect species are going extinct or endangered because of habitat loss and light pollution.

There are many reasons they are not being seen as much, and one of the major problems is light pollution. Neighborhoods that keep lights on disturb their mating season. Specific firefly species use lighting cues to determine when another is willing to mate, but the amount of lights on confuses them about when to start. This can mess up the collection of data on older populations. With the decline of fireflies, the rise of insects harmful to crops and others is increasing.

That said, there are ways we can reduce the number of fireflies that go extinct. When not using the outside light, it is encouraged to turn it off, but if lights are on inside, it’s best to close the blinds to reduce the light. Also, planting native plants and not mowing the lawn often could help. There are petitions as well to protect the habitats of fireflies, and signing them could help