HOW CAN WE BRING FIREFLY POPULATIONS BACK UP?

Scientists have yet to say definitively how to help preserve firefly habitats, but the following information from Firefly Conservation and Research and a 2016 article by George and Becky Lohmiller for The Old Farmer’s Almanac may be helpful to communities that wish to preserve their firefly populations.

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Fireflies like tropical and temperate regions, and as such, they love warm, humid areas. Here in the Philippines, one should take note about how a firefly habitat keeps the humidity up.

NATURE KNOWS BEST

Fireflies like to stay in forests, fields, and marshes. They also prefer areas near lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and standing pools.

In keeping with their preferences for high humidity, this makes sense. Also, depending on the species, firefly larvae live either in the water, or in the trees.

HERE’S THE (SH)RUB

If you want to attract fireflies in the general area to a specific place, it’s important to observe which kinds of shrubs and trees they hide in during the day. Plant some near areas where the environment is conducive for larvae to live in.

WET AND WILD

It’s important to have some parts of the remaining habitat grow wild, as fireflies like perching in long leaves, so they can “twinkle” and find their mates.

FAKE IT ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT

In some instances where there are no ponds or streams nearby, a man-made water source might do the trick. Create some artificial ones like birdbaths near the prescribed plants.

PUT AWAY THE PESTICIDES

Finally, don’t be surprised if there are no fireflies in areas where pesticides are used, for obvious reasons.

In the Philippine setting, it’s important that areas identified as having firefly communities should preserve at least some part of the original habitat for the fireflies to live and breed in. It’s also a good idea to encourage local ordinances that not only preserve the physical habitat, but also minimize light pollution in and near the habitat area. For example, exterior lights from residences and cars should be minimized at night, particularly if it’s mating season for our firefly friends.