Naturalist's Corner - Firefly Time

It's the height of the firefly season. What's the scoop on these insects and their flickering, flitting flight paths - and how can we ensure that they remain an annual summer delight?  I bring together two like-minded takes on this -one from a naturalist and one from a conservation organization for the skinny on fireflies.

Pamela Miller is a wonderful MN Master Naturalist volunteer at Frontenac State Park Association. She is a font of information on fungi, prairies and so much about our natural world. In fact you can join a fungi hike guided by Pam at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 18 at Frontenac State Park.  Pam is anlso editor of the Frontenac State Park Association's newsletter. Each month the newsletter is full of interesting science articles and observations, updates on the park, events, poems and pictures of the natural abundance at the state park. I was delighted to see an article in the July edition on fireflies which are having their moment in the evening and night and thought you'd enjoy it. 

Those Little Lights in the Summer Dusk

Pamela Miller  

Frontenac State Park Association Newsletter, July, 2026.

Insects are vital to life on Earth, but we, in our human Umwelt (a German word meaning the world as it is perceived by a particular organism), appreciate some more than others. Along with butterflies, dragonflies and (real) ladybugs, fireflies, which emerge in June and blink through July, delight us.

What’s going on there? Entomologists tell us that the flying males use their abdomen lights to attract females nestled in the vegetation below. If the female likes what she sees, she responds with her own light, and mating commences. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota is home to many native species of fireflies (family Lampyridae – get it? lamps!). Those that fly at dusk flash yellow, while those active in the dark glow green. Watching — and perhaps chasing — fireflies is a wonderful way to help children discover beauty in nature.

But fireflies are under a grave threat from habitat loss and light pollution. Ways to help them thrive? Leave leaf litter in your yard in the fall. Plant native plants. And turn off your outdoor lights at night.

Recently Lights Out Wisconsin, a coalition of Wisconsin conservation groups and dark sky organizations working together to reduce the impacts of light pollution on people, wildlife and the night sky, put out an important press release. I am so happy to include their piece on fireflies as well and the importance of our human interactions needed to keep the glow going.

Turn down the lights to turn up the glow!

Lights Out Wisconsin press release June 12, 2026

 Peak firefly season in Wisconsin runs from mid-June through late July, but many species can be seen from May through the end of August.

Lights Out Wisconsin is urging everyone to turn off or dim non-essential outdoor lights and close window shades from sunset to sunrise to help fireflies communicate and reproduce.

For many of us, fireflies are a cherished part of summer. Unfortunately, many species are declining, and it is estimated that at least 14% of firefly species are threatened. Habitat loss, light pollution, and pesticide use are considered some of the greatest threats to firefly populations.

One of the most immediate ways you can help is by reducing artificial light at night. Fireflies use flashing signals to communicate and find mates, but outdoor lighting can obscure these signals, making it harder for fireflies to reproduce successfully. Turning off non-essential outdoor lights and reducing nighttime brightness can help ensure their signals are seen.

Other ways to support fireflies:

• Leaving the leaves: Fireflies spend much of their lives in leaf litter and soil, leaving some leaves and natural debris provides important habitat for developing fireflies.
• Avoiding pesticides: Pesticides can harm fireflies directly and limit the availability of other invertebrates they depend on for food.
• Keeping some natural areas in your yard: Native plants, and less-managed areas provide shelter and habitat throughout the firefly life cycle.

Learn more on the Lights Out Wisconsin website.