Fireflies ‘in decline’, experts calling for change

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Warm, early summer evenings in the Tri-State are often speckled with the flashing of fireflies. However, due to recent challenges that fireflies and their habitats have faced, experts say they are in decline.

Adult fireflies are the ones we see on summer evenings, flashing their lights to attract mates.

Dr. Gene Kritsky, an entomologist with Mount Saint Joseph University, says that it’s normal to not see adult fireflies in the late summer.

“I think a lot of people may not realize that the adults are active in May and June - only about 60 or 61 days,” said Dr. Kritsky.

Just because we don’t see them in their adult form doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Most of the year, fireflies are in their larval stage, spending time feeding on snails and slugs on the ground.

Because most of their life cycles are spent on the ground, Dr. Kritsky says they are especially vulnerable to habitat changes. This includes cutting down trees and mowing the lawn.

“We are mowing our grass too low. You want to have your lawn mower set to at least 4 or higher,” Dr. Kritsky said. “They like to lay their eggs in the grass and in the leaf litter.”

Experts say that while fireflies are not yet considered endangered, they are becoming more threatened over time as their natural habitat and climate changes.

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