Doom Today: Hotcoldwetdry Could Threaten Firefly Populations

If it’s not one thing, it’s something else

Climate change threatens overall firefly populations, study shows, but Midwest could see increase

For many who grew up east of the Mississippi River, yellow twinkling lights punctuate magical childhood memories. New England natives call them fireflies, but they’re known as lightning bugs from the Midwest to the South. No matter their regional name, they are a staple of warm summer evenings.

Yet concerns about how many more generations will be able to bask in the glow of this nostalgic phenomenon have emerged in recent decades as anecdotal reports and observations in certain locations seemingly indicate firefly numbers are dwindling.

“We kept hearing all these stories that fireflies were in decline, firefly populations were disappearing, and as an invertebrate conservation organization, that always piques our interest,” said Candace Fallon, a senior conservation biologist who has led firefly research in the endangered species program at the Xerces Society since 2018. “So we decided to look into it a little bit more, and started doing formal assessments, building partnerships and working with other researchers, and it’s really grown since then.”

While scientists have long known firefly populations can be influenced by pesticides, artificial lights, soil and weather, a study published last month suggests that human-made climate change may pose an even greater threat than previously thought. The study also predicts that, while numbers might decline for most species with specific habitat needs, certain areas of the country such as the Midwest might experience population growth of some common firefly species as average temperatures become warmer.

“Anecdotal.” “Suggests”. Not that any of that really matters, this is all about scaremongering. And the cult will never stop looking for new ways to scaremonger. All while the majority of them refuse to give up their own use of fossil fuels and make their own lives carbon neutral.

This is a very, very long article, and we get too

Firefly lovers can help preserve the insects by maintaining native plant species in backyards instead of trying to keep “perfectly manicured lawns” treated with weed killers and pesticides.

That’s not climate change, but, certainly, having more plants will help. All the destruction of wilderness, even small spaces, has made a difference for the worst.

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