I read it in the news and social media. Scientists are saying that we might be the last generation to see fireflies. It’s disturbing, but it may be true. I haven’t seen fireflies or alitaptap in Mabalacat and nearby places for decades. Once abundant in meadows and grasslands, they are now rarely found.
In the past, fireflies are present in many places in the Philippines. Now, fireflies are so rare that firefly watching has become an ecotourism activity in Donsol and Ogod River in Bicol, Abatan River in Bohol, and Iwahig in Palawan. Fireflies in these areas are still known to congregate in mass numbers.
Why are fireflies disappearing? The obvious reason is environmental degradation. Fireflies are sensitive to environmental changes like light pollution, water pollution and habitat loss. For this reason, they are considered bioindicators. Their presence, abundance, and behavior can indicate the health and quality of an ecosystem.
Like other species, the most serious threat to fireflies is habitat destruction. Many forests and grasslands are converted to residential, industrial, agricultural and commercial uses. The clearing of mangroves for shrimp farms is also causing their decline. Fireflies lay their eggs in the muddy roots of the mangroves, where they hatch as larvae. The larvae feed on other insects and mollusks.
Water pollution is also another reason for the decline in firefly population, especially in Asia where larvae of many firefly species are aquatic. Pesticides and lawn chemicals are also toxic to insects. Mosquito spraying kills nontarget insects including fireflies.
Artificial lights are also a problem for the insect. Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights, considered environment-friendly because they use little energy and last longer, are unfriendly to fireflies. They appear to be disrupting reproduction of Britain’s glow-worms, according to research. Light pollution also blinds the flying males so they can’t find the females. And the sedentary females can’t move to darker areas.
The loss of fireflies will cause an imbalance in the environment. Firefly larvae are voracious predators of snails, slugs, and other insects that can be harmful to crops and gardens. By controlling these populations, fireflies contribute to natural pest control, potentially reducing the need for pesticides.
Fireflies are also food for other animals, including frogs, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Their presence helps maintain the stability and diversity of the ecosystem. Some adult fireflies feed on nectar and pollen, and in the process, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, aiding in plant reproduction.
The glow in fireflies is due to the chemical process of bioluminescence. This occurs in specialized light-emitting organs, usually on a female firefly's lower abdomen. By the way, fireflies are not flies. They are actually soft-bodied beetles. They are also commonly called lightning bugs, or glowworms. There are as many as 2,400 species and new ones are being discovered.