Backyard Volunteers Helping Track Firefly Numbers

[Hissyspit]

I've noticed for years that the fireflies where I live seemed to have disappeared. When I first moved into the country here in SE North Carolina, they were fairly numerous. I saw TWO this summer and was shocked to see them. Anecdotal and non-scientific, of course, but seeing this article did not shock me in the least.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/us?guid=20100905/376f9233-9f97-4da6-817c-3405f215310f

Backyard volunteers helping track firefly numbers

RICK CALLAHAN
From Associated Press
September 05, 2010 2:24 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The yellow-green streaks of fireflies that bring a magical air to summer nights, inspire camp songs and often end up in jars in children's bedrooms may be flickering out in the nation's backyards as suburban sprawl encroaches on their habitats.

Scientists concerned by reports from the public that they are seeing fewer of the luminous insects each summer have turned to a network of backyard volunteers spanning much of the nation to track their range and numbers. Their observations may shed light on whether fireflies are indeed declining — a trend that could dwindle the targets for the childhood rite of passage of chasing fireflies. As this weekend marks summer's unofficial end in America, the Firefly Watch volunteers' work is winding down now that the insects' annual light show is over in all but southern states.

- snip -

Since the online Firefly Watch debuted in May 2008, about 5,100 people from 42 states have entered firefly data they collected in their yards, local parks and meadows, said Paul Fontaine, the Boston museum's vice president of education.

- snip -

The beetles spend most of their life in rich, moist soils dining on earthworms and other soil-dwellers as larva often called glow worms because their abdomens also flash.

Cratsley said replacing meadows and fields with strip malls and parking lots clearly cuts firefly numbers. And there's evidence that the glare of streetlights that come with urban sprawl may interfere with the courtship of some firefly species by washing out their flashes. He said pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals can also kill the creatures that firefly larvae feed on, but the extent of that impact is unclear.

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[Uben]

1. I've noticed a lot fewer.....

...than when I was a child. I live in the same town, so the comparison is legitimate. This year I may have seen 4 or 5 total. I remember nights seeing hundreds out in the pastures, chasing and catching them, barefoot and nothing on but a pair of cut-offs. Actually, I've noticed the decline for decades, and wondered if the invasion of fire ants did not have something to do with it, because the firefly population was declining as the fire ant population boomed. I have also noticed a lot fewer birds that nest on the ground such as quail and Kildees, as well as horned toads. Asa child, I would see hundreds of horned toads over the course of a summer. I've seen one in the past ten years!

[truedelphi]

8. That is a very sad report.

I grew up in Chicago, where evenings in the summer were that special time to chase the fireflies.

They don't exist in California - the nights here, even in the summer are too cold.

Sad to hear that they are going the way of so many other species.

Pesticides every where -safe enough to drink, I hear tell. (Or so industry specialists would have us all believe.)

But the insect, bird and animal species in decline tell a different story.

[xchrom]

2. Awesome - I know two little girls who would like to help with that. Nt

[doc03]

3. What about bug zappers? n/t

[truedelphi]

9. I hadn't thought of that -but the fireflies are

Bugs, aren't they?

[Hutchewon]

4. Report from the Triad

I am up in the Triad Area. This summer it seems like we have had a lot more of them this summer. Another thing I have noticed is that they seem to have lasted longer this year. We saw the first ones in early June and they are still around in September. I'm not denying the poster's observations in the Eastern part of North Carolina, just remarking on my observations made while walking to get my daily exercise after dark when it is cool.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I will add that link to my Chimney Swift Count site.

We had more fireflies last year, when it was a tad cooler, but had 2 waves of them this year

Fortunately, we live amidst 15 acres of woods, the only sprays are the mosquito truck that comes around, but the drift does not go too far into the woods and small valley below the house.

[Hissyspit]

6. Kick nt

[JCMach1]

7. We had a large bushy shrub when we lived in downtown Stillwater, OK

and in the Summer, we would sit on the steps and watch the fireflies come out of their home.

Of course, we never used pesticide on the lawn.

We loved those little buggers.

The same large old tree with a large overgrown shrub at the base also hosted several thousands (maybe 100s of thousands too many to count really) migrating monarchs one Fall as well. Seriously, that one tiny place must have been touched by fairies!