Firefly Sanctuaries:
How to Preserve and Protect Firefly Habitats

By Terry Lynch

As the world's human population continues to explode, many species are becoming threatened and/or endangered. Some species have already become extinct and each day it is possible species which have not even been discovered or described are being lost when vast areas of rain forest are destroyed by loggers, miners or other developers. Although such encroachment upon the natural environment effect all flora and fauna, this review focuses upon the firefly as a threatened and endangered species.

I have long professed that fireflies are one of the first insect species which people notice when they disappear. See: Firefly Safe Zones: Strategies for Reintroduction, Preservation and Maintenance of Vigorous Firefly Populations. When an elder takes a stroll through the fields or forest where they might have roamed as a child, often the response is, "Where have all the fireflies gone." Certainly this is the case when that field or forest is just a memory and now a shopping mall.

We tend to notice creatures which glow, the sparkling dance of fireflies. If you have ever been so fortunate as to see a meadow aglow with thousands upon thousands of flashing fireflies, then you would surely notice when the sparkling fairies of a summer's eve flashed no more. That has been the case with many people from whom I often hear by way of email asking over and over, "Where have all the fireflies gone?" Usually they are writing from a large city or suburb and proclaim that as a child fireflies were everywhere; now all are gone.

As one who has ravelled in the observation and study of fireflies since my days as a young lad living at the base of Chimney Peak in Jacksonville, Alabama, on the edged of Talladega National Forest, I am quite aware when subtle changes occur. Why when I was but a teenager I collected fireflies and made records and counts; hence I have figures where other may only have impressions. And my figures show that, yes indeed, there are not as many fireflies today as there were in years gone by ... probably because of increased light pollution, destruction of habitat, application of herbicides and insecticides, and in some cases covering the ground with asphalt.

Asphalt is perhaps the worst substance one can introduce into an area where there are fireflies. The one thing you want to keep out of area designated as sanctuaries for fireflies is asphalt. Fireflies require rich, moist, soil, leaf litter or wetlands in which to breed; asphalt destroys the upper layer of soil where fireflies normally deposite their eggs and where larvae grow and develop; hence, fireflies cannot survive upon land covered in asphalt.


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In fact, petroleum based products are a primary environmental hazard to fireflies and other small animals. This is true of all toxic oil-based products or toxic chemicals derived from petroleum distillates, especially insecticides, herbicides and any chemical spays which are petroleum based. Petroleum oil-based products simply are NOT good for plants and animals. Paving over an area to make a nature trail or roadway is a prime example of what not to do in an area where you want to create or maintain a firefly sanctuary or nature preserve.

In such areas where fireflies may occur and one wish to observe their displays, it is recommended that natural materials such as rock, clay and gravel be used for nature trails. Elevated wooden nature trails are ideal and are used in many state and national parks. Such elevated wooden nature trails also have the advantage of being able to transverse ditches and culverts; also railing provides a measure of safety as does keeping people out of the brush and away from vegetation which, especially in areas where poisonous plants or animals may be present.

There are common practices that are employed at well maintained and serviced state and national parks which contribute to preserving the environment and keeping the area beautiful for visitors. Certainly waist baskets or containers should be places at the beginning and end of any nature trail, and perhaps at regular intervals when one is talking of especially long or highly trafficked trails. These should be serviced daily to collect waste carry it out of the park.

While we are on the topic of waste I would like to add one precaution: DO NOT POUR OR DISPOSE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS DOWN THE DRAINS in state or national parks or in any other sanctuary or preserve. This especially includes insecticides, herbicides, prescription medications, oil based products, detergents, or any other chemical that has a toxic warning label. If it is not good for people, it is not good for plants or animals. Keep all such toxic chemicals and agents out of the ground water by collecting them and shipping the out of preserved and protected area to be properly dispose of by municipalities.

The old adage, "Cleanliness in next to Godliness," certainly applies to preserving fireflies. The primary concern is to maintain clean water, which includes clean ground water. In areas where there are aquatic or semi-aquatic species of fireflies, like in the tropics, it is especially important to keep oil based chemicals and sprays, including agents used for mosquito control, out of areas where fireflies breed. Sorry, you have to strike a balance here. If you want to preserve fireflies, then do NOT spray for mosquitoes. People can protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing repellants, long sleeve clothing, and staying indoors behind screen netting at dusk. Spraying areas where fireflies occur for mosquitoes in like setting off a nuke! Oil-based sprays kill not only mosquitoes but fireflies and other nocturnally active insects, many of which are beneficial and food for other animals.

Tropical species of fireflies are becoming increasingly threatened and endangered by population growth. Contrary to what some ignorant souls would argue, you do not have to chose between people and the environment. Actually what is best for the environment is often best for people. Of course it may not be best for the greedy or corrupt people who want to make huge profits off of their latest development plan, say a strip mine to remove the top of Mt. Firefly. But in most cases man can find a balance, a way to preserve and protect the environment, without totally destroying it in the process.

Thus some years ago I proposed establishing Safe Zones. A safe zone is simple a "green area," on the map, a region of natural land, vegetation and forest that is set aside and preserved that small animals and plants endemic to the area may be maintained. When building communities instead of turning the landscape into asphalt parking lots and concrete jungles, instead preserve the green areas. If green area are interconnected that you create jigsaw puzzle-like shaped areas of green, then this will help provide habitat for small animals and plants, like squirrels and bird -- and yes, fireflies. Of course for larger animals, like wild cats in Africa or India, you need extremely large green areas.

Land development and the expansion of cities and suburbs into natural habitats as the population explodes makes it ever more vital to establish safe zones. The disappearance of fireflies in some areas shows what happens when we do not act to properly manage natural ecosystems. The result is that man destroys what is most beautiful and majestic in terms of the natural environment. That destruction may not have been intended, but it still happened because of ignorance, greed, corruption or simply failure to understand that natural wonders, such as fireflies, can be preserved if we but understand how to preserve and protect firefly habitats.

It is most critical to take positive steps in this regard in developing and rapidly growing nations where spectacular exhibits and displays of fireflies occur. For example, in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines there are area where large displays of synchronous flashing fireflies have been observed. Usually these are along rivers on in wetlands. If possible these areas may be made state, provincial or national parks. But even in areas which remain in private ownership, we can be good stewards of the land by acting responsibly to preserve and protect the environment.

In one particular case, the Bagobo Tribal people of Mindanao located on the southeaster slope of Mt. Apo in the Philippines, asked my advice. They wanted to preserve fireflies upon tribal lands. My recommendation was that a Firefly Safe Zone be established; hence, these wonderful people, respectful of their heritage and culture which has always had great reverence for nature and the "grandfather" spirit of Mt. Apo, established Bagobo Woodlands, as a preserve. The goal it to foster the preservation of fireflies on their property that they will forever be present for the enjoyment of future generations.


© 2012 Treey Lynch
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I recommend that this fine example be followed throughout the Philippines and southeast Asia, wherever fireflies may occur in spectacular displays. Tribal people (or other owners of private property) who own the property should come together and establish nature preserves; then create guidelines for people who use the land to follow, that fireflies and other flora and fauna will be preserved and protected. In cases where there is land development it may be wise to preserve large Firefly Safe Zones or buffers between the development and where fireflies occur in great numbers that these firefly habitats may serve as places for ecotourist to come and marvel at nature's wonders.

Fireflies are one of the most marvelous of insects inhabiting our fragile planet Earth. They shimmer and sparkle as the flit and flut over field, meadow and forest floor in search of a mate to the entertainment, joy and delight of all who pause to marvel at their pyrotechnic displays. Fireflies are twinkles through our literature and lore, sprinkles as one might fairy dust to add gleam and glitter to tale new and old. What would the world be without fireflies? I personally have no desire to know and happily live during an age where fireflies still dance their meadow waltzes. Hopefully human kind will have presence of mind to protect and preserve the Earth's firefly habitats and populations. Hopefully fireflies will not disappear ... though sadly they have in many places.

Yet I'm not one to lay down my sword. Although I'm not saying we should cut off the heads of loggers and mountain removal miners, of strip miners who rape the earth of forest to create vast moonscape waste lands, I do believe we may be wise to question all permits for such catastrophic processes, that in said permitting we make precise and accurate analysis of all flora and fauna including the most minute insects, that any reclamation processes make provision and preservation of all species endemic to an area. For although man may think himself God, man is but a beast which consumes, digests, metabolizes and defecates waste. The great metropolises of man fill the planet with waste, polluting the land and the ocean. The ideologies embraces by this beast permit reproduction of the beast without control that the beast increases to such numbers that all of life on Earth becomes jeopardized. The greed and corruption which comes with the beast's egomaniac procreation makes any sane and rational person wish they were not a member of the human race. Yet I wonder if there are any of those still left around, for so polluted has become not only the physical Earth, but the very psyche of humanity.

The pollution of the mind comes in the form of memes, flashes of light that are recorded and impressed upon brain as ideas. The idea of God creator of the universe. The idea of man as God. The idea that one can do no wrong. The idea that my God is better than your God. The idea of genocide. The idea of speciescide. The idea of profit without limit. The idea of private property ownership vs. universal ownership of the land, that the Earth and land cannot be owned by individuals but belong to all people, that we are part of the Earth and can no more own it than we do the stars of the universe.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder where you are ... we all recall such nursery rhymes. Looking across the meadow I see many twinkles, flashes of yellow-green which appear, streaking up and down in a J-shape flash, then disappear only to repeat the process again and again over the course of twilight's gleam. It is my friend, Photinus pyralis, that Big Dipper of fireflies which I first studied in my youth. P. pyralis is alive and well having adapted to live in suburbs quite well. As long as we plant trees and lush, green lawns, and hold off on the mosquito spaying, P. pyralis will be around. But I'm not too sure about other species of fireflies which may be more sensitive to environmental changes. The great social networks of synchronous flashing fireflies in the tropics of southeast Asia will parish if their habitats are destroyed, as they depend upon large areas of unmolested terrain, clean water and air that one can breath without becoming so congested or short of breath that fear of dying looms with each gasping breath.

In some places the world's air is becoming so filled with smoke and smog from coal fueled power plants that it is indeed difficult for people to breath. Yet we continue to build more coal fueled power plants, the increase in carbon dioxide contributing to global warming. The polar ice caps and great mountain glaciers are melting as I type these words, vast streams of melt flowing into the world's oceans to raise them infinitesimally higher and higher. People generally do not look very closely the world around them; most people do not notice change until it is too late to stop the change, especially in the case of adverse change. Thus it is with fireflies. Most people do not notice their disappearance until the fireflies are gone and the wonder, "Where have all the fireflies gone?"

But you can help. You can help save the firefly. Plant a tree, it is the single most important thing you can do to help fireflies. When you plant trees it increases firefly habitat, that our children's children will have green forests where they can watch fireflies flash and dance.

If you want to do more please support Project Firefly.

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All proceeds will be used by Project Firefly to support this site and help preserve, protect and save fireflies around the world that our children's children may still be able to see magnificent displays of fireflies.

Please support Project Firefly. We are asking everyone to please help save the firefly. Magnificent and spectacular displays of fireflies are disappearing around the world. In and around many cities where fireflies were once very abundant they occur sparsely or have disappeared altogether. Indeed, it is becoming more and more difficult to see the large displays of fireflies that our parents and grandparents may have witnessed.

When fireflies disappear it is a signal that something is very wrong, an indicator that the quality of the air, water and environment is in jeopardy. Much work needs to be done to study the effects of global warming and urbanization upon the environment and how it is effecting firefly populations and other species which are becoming endangered or threatened.

Please make a donation to help Project Firefly. All funds will be used to: help establish and maintain this site; to acquire and operate the field stations, preserves, and research centers; to foster educational and informative programs; to provide much needed equipment and supplies; to maintain this website and related firefly and natural history websites; to foster the creation of firefly friendly habitats and safe zones; and, to generally work to save the firefly. Thank you for your patronage and support!

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