You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep 🎶
Fireflies - Owl City
Do you still remember when you were a kid and you were rushing around your backyard attempting to capture some fireflies? Those night-sky-illuminating lightning bugs.
For many people, fireflies evokes fond recollections. On summer evenings, many people recall rushing around their backyards, attempting to capture the dancing lights in front of their eyes. During the summer months, nothing beats the spectacle of lightning bugs, commonly known as fireflies, lighting up the night sky. However, as we become older, they are becoming more rare to find. Have you seen any of them recently? You haven't, right? It is because they're starting to become extinct.
Fireflies are not only associated with childhood recollections, but they also hold cultural significance for some people. The amazing light shows produced by these insects stimulate tourism and economic growth in several parts of the world.
Despite the amazement that their bioluminescent courtship rituals inspire, fireflies have been largely overlooked in conservation efforts around the world. Scientists have noted a global fall in their population numbers in recent years. However, there is no formal population data for nearly every firefly species, and there are over 2,000 different types of firefly beetles. Link
Here are the following threats of fireflies extinction:
The loss of Habitat
The loss of habitat is one of the biggest threats to firefly extinction. In the Philippines, it is mostly mountains and huge trees were cut down in exchange for new subdivisions. Subdivisions here, subdivisions there, subdivisions everywhere. Even in provinces where it's supposed to be a place for fireflies to give light at night, we no longer see them because of pollution and overpopulation.
The amount and context of habitat loss and fragmentation vary around the world. In general, the expansion of human activity poses a threat to the habitats of these populations.
Artificial Lights at Night
According to the report, it is the world's second most serious threat to fireflies. (Billboards, signage, street lights, etc). Several research have shown that artificial lights have a deleterious impact on firefly populations, with several studies indicating a negative relationship between artificial light levels and firefly abundance.
According to the findings, firefly taxa that are active at night are most likely to be affected. According to the study, artificial light is most likely to disrupt nocturnally active firefly taxa, as these adults rely on bioluminescent courtship cues to find mates.
The Use of Pesticides
Pesticides are the world's third-largest hazard to fireflies. While there have been few research on the direct impact of broad-spectrum pesticides on fireflies, it is well known that they have negative effects on insect populations.
Aerial spraying, contact with pesticide-affected soil or water, or consumption of infected prey can all result in insecticide exposure. At any stage of their lives, fireflies can be exposed. The larval stage of aquatic and terrestrial firefly species can be especially vulnerable to high pesticide concentrations in water and soil.
Insecticides may also be present in firefly eggs placed in dirt, moss, or rotting wood. When adults rest in treated areas, they may be exposed to insecticides. Certain insecticides targeted against mosquitos are frequently sprayed from the air around nightfall, when fireflies are also active, putting them at risk.
All around the country—and the world—fireflies are vanishing from wetlands, gardens, and forests. And if this situation continues, fireflies may become extinct, turning our summer days something less magical. Fireflies are fragile, and once they're gone, they're lost forever. It is, however, not too late to save them. We must act now to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy fireflies for many summers to come.
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Author's Note:
Good evening, good morning readcash cutiezens. I've been trying my very best to be able to publish an article today. And luckily I still able to tap the published button way before the clock reach the 12 midnight lol
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Arigathankyougozaimuch ❣️
Oh I'd like to read that study too about the fireflies and the light connection.
It's really sad how we disregard our environment. At least now more people are being aware but there are still the old ones who don't care.