Amidst decreasing firefly sightings, here’s how to establish a certified habitat

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Research suggests firefly populations are declining, prompting calls to create firefly habitats.

Erin Shaw, a naturalist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has always been captivated by fireflies. However, in recent times, she notes a decrease in their sightings, a sentiment echoed by many globally. Reports suggest that firefly populations are on the decline, yet detailed studies are limited, as highlighted by Firefly Atlas, a North American conservation initiative.

“Weather and moisture levels have been favorable for them this year,” Shaw mentioned to Nexstar’s WCMH. “So people have noticed more fireflies, but overall, their numbers are reducing.”

This decline in firefly sightings motivated Shaw to achieve a firefly habitat certification for Caesar Creek State Park in southwestern Ohio, provided by the global nonprofit organization, Firefly Conservation and Research.

For the certification, individuals must cultivate an optimal environment for fireflies, involving undisturbed areas for both adult and larval stages, promoting plant diversity, minimizing artificial lighting, and reducing pesticide usage.

Initially, Shaw established a small garden habitat near the Nature Center for the fireflies, but she later observed that a substantial portion of the park serves as a refuge, with over 70% meeting the nonprofit’s standards. 

The self-led certification program, priced at $45, offers a downloadable guide featuring a checklist to transform a space into a firefly-friendly environment. It also includes a “certified firefly habitat” sign, which the organization believes aids in enhancing awareness about the threats to firefly populations. 

“I think a lot of parks could do this, you could get it for your backyard, you could get it for your church or your school or your business,” Shaw said. “It’s applicable to many different places.”

Anyone can create a certified firefly habitat by completing the program. Shaw said moist areas, such as those near creeks, ponds and other wetlands, would be ideal spots to create firefly habitats. She also noted lightning bugs enjoy trees, tall grass, rotten logs and leaf litter. 

“It’s finding places where they should be and then just helping to protect that area for [the] future,” she said. 

Fireflies face a variety of threats, including light pollution, defined as the brightening of the night sky by street lights and other artificial sources. Such lights can disrupt courtship among fireflies, which rely on their lanterns to find mates. 

Habitat loss due to urban development and pesticide use is also impacting firefly populations. To help, Shaw said residents can turn off their porch lights before dusk throughout the summer, when fireflies are most active, and avoid using pesticides. 

“Instead of spraying pesticide on our gardens, we could simply make a firefly habitat and invite the larvae to have a safe place to stay and then they will help take care of our pesky bugs,” Shaw said. 

As larvae, fireflies benefit the environment by controlling populations of invertebrates such as slugs and snails, which can damage and kill plants if left unchecked by natural predators. As adults, they feed on pollen and nectar, benefiting a variety of flowering plants. 

Fireflies are members of the beetle family, with scientists estimating there are about 2,000 firefly species worldwide, including nearly 200 in North America.