*NSynchronous

As their name suggests, Synchronous Fireflies flash in unison to communicate with each other. Males flash 8 to 10 times all in unison, then they stop for 10-15 seconds depending on the temperature. They wait for the female to flash back, then they repeat the display again. This routine goes on all night, making the best time to catch this display between 10 pm and 2 am. These unique fireflies were spotted on June 1 in Allegany State Park.

Unfortunately, the summer tradition of catching fireflies is in danger of fading due to the decreased numbers of fireflies each year. Populations are in decline due to human activities such as use of pesticides, habitat destruction, and light pollution. The small beetles prefer dense, dark forests, which have been shrinking due to increased development.

There are a number of things, however, that you can do to make your backyard a home for fireflies. The beetles use luminescent light created inside their bodies to communicate with mates; by turning off outdoor lights at night, you can help the fireflies find each other. Another way to encourage fireflies to visit your home is to avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Pesticides harm all wildlife, not just the species you hope to be rid of, and unnatural fertilizers can be harmful to the insects as well.

There is a nationwide concern about the decline of fireflies, and lots of resources if you want to get involved in preserving the species. You can certify your backyard as a wildlife habitat by meeting a few criteria: provide food and water sources, have a habitat of trees and shrubs, and avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Click here to find out more.

You and your kids can also become citizen scientists and report firefly sightings to the Firefly Watch by the Boston Museum of Science. All you need to do is check your yard for fireflies once a week, and send your data to the website. You can then check out the nationwide map to see where else fireflies have been spotted.

We hope that you are able to enjoy these seasonal creatures, and encourage you to make your yard more firefly-friendly. Remember – if you catch a firefly, make sure to let it go!