_edited.jpg)
TM
Fireflies of Pennsylvania
This page is dedicated to answering some basic questions that are frequently asked about our State Insect, the Firefly! We have over 30 species of fireflies in Pennsylvania that are each fascinating in their own right and worthy of our attention and protection. Pennsylvania's State Insect, the "Dot-Dash" firefly or Photuris pensylvanica was officially adopted in 1974 by Pennsylvania's General Assembly. It is identified by a dot-dash flash pattern, and most often occurs in the Southeastern areas of the Commonwealth. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed P. pensylvanica as a "Vulnerable" species (one step away from Endangered) on the IUCN Red List. Therefore, we hope citizens of Pennsylvania will learn more and take steps to protect ALL of our fireflies for our future generations.
FAQ's
The following are answers to some commonly asked questions at our festival and events. Our mission is to educate and raise awareness about the fireflies in our Commonwealth. We have been learning as much as we can about fireflies from our International Firefly Network friends and advisory board for the last 15 years.
​​
Are they lightning bugs or fireflies?
Fireflies vs. lightning bugs. Either term is fine. They are actually beetles – they have a hard pair of wings on the outside, and underneath are the real wings with which they fly. They have 6 legs. They undergo a series of metamorphoses as they grow.
Where do fireflies come from?
Fireflies stay where you see them throughout their life cycle, unless conditions become unfavorable. Fireflies do not migrate.
Do all fireflies glow?
We know the glowing species best, but there are many diurnal (daytime) species that don’t light up.
Why do different fireflies have different flash patterns?
Usually it’s the males who flash, to attract a female who is usually on the ground or branch waiting to flash back when she sees a favorable flash pattern. Different species have distinctive flash patterns, so they can tell each other apart when there are a number of species in the same area.
What is the lifecycle of a firefly?
After adult fireflies mate, the females lay eggs on the ground or just below the surface of the soil. They prefer moist areas with leaf litter and undisturbed soils. The eggs hatch within the month, and stay in larval form (sometimes called glow-worms) for 1 to 2 more years. They hibernate in the ground or under tree bark in the winter. They emerge in spring and feed heavily until they pupate. A pupa is a firefly stage just before adulthood, lasting only about two weeks when they transform and emerge as an adult.
How long do fireflies live?
Firefly adults only live for a few days to a couple of weeks – some species live longer than others. They do not migrate. They reproduce and die. They live out their entire life cycle within the general geographic area where they hatched as larvae. The larvae live for up to two years in the soil.
Do they bite? Are they poisonous?
Adult fireflies don’t bite or sting! However, fireflies are toxic to vertebrates like birds, amphibians, or mammals. All firefly larvae and pupae glow, which may be a warning sign – “Don’t eat me!”
What do fireflies eat?
Some adult female fireflies are predatory, feeding on other firefly species whom they attract by imitating their prey’s flash patterns often called the “Femme Fatale”; others possibly eat pollen & nectar, or nothing at all. Firefly larvae are voracious carnivores and prey on soft-bodied creatures like slugs, snails and worms.
What makes fireflies light up?
In short, there is a biochemical reaction that takes place in their body that makes them glow. The light that fireflies produce is called a “cold light” because it doesn’t give off heat the way most energy-consuming sources do (like fire, the sun, light bulbs, etc.) They are not radioactive. (Longer answer: Fireflies have a protein in their bodies that combines with a catalyst, creating a glowing molecule that can be triggered by introducing a certain ion; sometimes bacteria)
Are fireflies endangered?
Some species have declined significantly. It is estimated 14% of fireflies are threatened in the U.S. Another 53% of identified firefly species in the U.S. have, however, insufficient data to make a determination of threat. Currently, Synchronous fireflies are not on the threatened list.
Probably the greatest effect on firefly populations in the U.S. is the destruction of their habitat. Environmental changes with negative impact such as pesticide use, light pollution and loss of habitat due to development are also believed to be causing significant decline in fireflies as well as other insects.
Why is this region so important to fireflies?
Forest County is a prime location for fireflies because of its large undeveloped tracts such as the Allegheny National Forest, Cooks Forest and numerous State Forests and Parks in the region, and many public game lands. Large forested areas mean less disruption of habitat, and sparse human population means less light pollution. The relatively smaller number of farms means less pesticide use.
Fireflies do best where there is abundant darkness, leaf litter, moisture and undisturbed soil.
Why are fireflies important?
Fireflies are known as a bioindicator to researchers, biologists and conservationists. The presence of fireflies tells us that the environment is healthy and well balanced. Firefly larvae also help by keeping the other populations of invertebrates in check by eating snails, slugs, etc. If you don’t see fireflies in an area that typically should or did have them, there is a reason and you should be concerned.
