{"id":39717,"date":"2024-07-01T12:39:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T10:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/54f74a1a-429b-4803-95c2-8e0660a563ba"},"modified":"2024-07-01T13:28:50","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T11:28:50","slug":"dazzling-firefly-illumination-filmed-in-the-mangrove-forests-of-thailand-a-bitter-sweet-moment-for-scientists","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/dazzling-firefly-illumination-filmed-in-the-mangrove-forests-of-thailand-a-bitter-sweet-moment-for-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"Dazzling firefly illumination filmed in the mangrove forests of Thailand a bitter-sweet moment for scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientists warn of a dark future for fireflies and the common glow-worm, as multiple species of insects are added to the IUCN\u2019s Red List of Threatened Species.\u00a0 <\/p>

By Graeme Green\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 01 July 2024 at 10:39 AM<\/p>

\n\n

An international team of scientists has\u00a0warned of a dark future for the world\u2019s fireflies<\/a>, with four Southeast Asian\u00a0firefly\u00a0species entered into the IUCN\u2019s (International Union for Conservation of Nature)\u00a0Red List of Threatened Species for the first time.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

The main threats include habitat loss and degradation, climate change and light pollution.\u00a0<\/p>

Fireflies are soft-bodied beetles belonging to the Lampyridae family. Credit: Sergio Henriques<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Sir David Attenborough on living things that glow<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Over 2,200 firefly species have been described globally, with Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific home to at least 400 of the\u00a0Lampyridae<\/em> beetles<\/a>, who use bioluminescence<\/a> to communicate. In Southeast Asia, the most spectacular displays of glowing, flashing and flickering come from fireflies from the\u00a0Pteroptyx<\/em>\u00a0genus, known as ‘congregating fireflies’, which occur in large numbers on trees and shrubs along the tidal rivers of mangrove swamps.\u00a0<\/p>
*The* IUCN Firefly Specialist Group<\/a> assessed four congregating firefly species across Malaysia,\u00a0Indonesia, Cambodia,\u00a0Thailand,\u00a0Singapore\u00a0and\u00a0Brunei, and found that all four are threatened with extinction<\/a>. Once abundant and widespread, the Comtesse\u2019s firefly (Pteroptyx bearni<\/em>), Synchronous bent-wing firefly (Pteroptyx malaccae<\/em>), Perfect synchronous flashing firefly (Pteroptyx tener<\/em>), and Non-synchronous bent-winged firefly (*Pteroptyx valida<\/em>) are all now listed as Vulnerable.<\/p>*
Watch: Spectacular synchronous flashing of fireflies in Thailand. Credit: Banthoon Pankaew<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Are fireflies and glow worms the same thing?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
\u201cThe findings of this study are deeply concerning,\u201d says\u00a0Dr Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh, IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group Co-chair and Senior Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia. <\/p>
\u201cWithout significant improvements in the factors affecting their survival and reproduction, these species are at risk of disappearing. What’s particularly worrying is the absence of a comprehensive conservation plan of action at a national and global level.\u201d<\/p>
$\"\"$
Bent-wing fireflies (Pteroptyx malaccae) photographed in Thailand’s mangrove forests. Credit: Banthoon Pankaew<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Why are fireflies important?<\/h2>
Fireflies require moist habitats and can be found in freshwater swamps, grasslands and forests.\u00a0Like many insects<\/a>, they are vital to ecosystem health. <\/p>
\u201cFireflies are crucial for maintaining the food web balance, as they serve as both predators and prey,\u201d\u00a0Jusoh explains.\u00a0\u201cTheir larvae feed on soft-bodied invertebrates, like snails<\/a>, slugs and earthworms<\/a>, making them beneficial for gardens and farms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
One of the world\u2019s most captivating natural wonders, the stark news should serve as a \u2018wake-up call\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cFireflies\u2019 beauty makes them a noticeable indicator species for a wider trend seen around the world,\u201d says\u00a0S\u00e9rgio Henriques,\u00a0Invertebrates Conservation Coordinator\u00a0for the\u00a0Global Center for Species Survival at Indianapolis Zoo, USA.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cMany people may not notice the decline in a keystone species of butterfly, or the loss of ecosystem engineers, like spiders<\/a>, but they might notice if they haven\u2019t seen a firefly since childhood. <\/p>
“These findings on the decline of fireflies are an indicator of broader insect decline, sometimes called the \u2018insect apocalypse\u2019 or Insectageddon, and that should be very concerning for everyone, as all ecosystems and all species, including ourselves, rely on insect and invertebrates for crucial ecological roles.\u201d<\/p>
Watch: Fireflies require moist habitats and can be found in freshwater swamps, grasslands and forests. Credit: Banthoon Pankaew<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Why are so many firefly species threatened?<\/h2>
Expanding urban development and intensive agriculture in Southeast Asia have accelerated the loss of fireflies\u2019 natural environments, especially the draining of swamps and destruction of mangrove vegetation and riverbanks.<\/p>
Scientists are also concerned that rising sea levels, due to climate change, will result in further losses of mangroves.\u00a0<\/p>
Light pollution from human cities, towns and villages, which is increasing by as much as 10% annually, is also impacting firefly populations. <\/p>
\u201cFireflies attract their mates at night and have evolved to flash and glow brightly against natural darkness,\u201d says\u00a0Jusoh.\u00a0\u201cStudies have shown that artificial lights confuse male fireflies, making it harder for them to find mates and decreasing their reproductive success.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Glowing$
There are over 2,200 firefly species in the world, but as many as one fifth of these could be facing\u00a0extinction,\u201d\u00a0says Dr Sara Lewis, IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group Co-Chair. Credit: Sergio Henriques<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Eco-tourism projects for people to witness firefly displays have helped protect some areas. But they\u2019re a double-edged sword. \u201cFireflies are a major attraction for tourists in Malaysia and Thailand, but tourism has caused habitat degradation,\u201d\u00a0Jusoh explains.\u00a0\u201cFor instance, speedboats used to access firefly display trees erode river banks and threaten fireflies\u2019 habitat. While firefly ecotourism is generally good for local economies, care must be taken to protect firefly habitats at these heavily trafficked sites.\u201d<\/p>
The fact that only 1% of the known firefly species in Southeast Asia have been assessed but all of them are at risk of extinction in the near future suggests a much wider problem. \u201cIt\u2019s highly likely many other firefly species are also to be at risk,\u201d says\u00a0Jusoh.\u00a0<\/p>
The scientists behind the study stress that it isn\u2019t yet too late to reverse course. Dr\u00a0Jusoh\u00a0wants to see an \u201cextensive and coordinated conservation effort to ensure the long-term survival of these firefly species,\u201d including local, state, and national conservation organizations coming up with conservation action plans\u00a0to\u00a0create, restore, and protect fireflies’ habitats, as well as\u00a0more\u00a0surveying and monitoring work to understand threats.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Pteroptyx$
Scientists say the findings add to global calls for action on light pollution, chemical pollution (such as pesticides), and other threats to fireflies. Credit: Banthoon Pankaew<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Europe’s glow-worms and fireflies<\/h2>
There is grim news from Europe too.\u00a0A new analysis of the state of Europe\u2019s glowworms<\/a> and fireflies shows shrinking populations, with similar threats – habitat loss (including\u00a0grasslands, woodlands, and riverbanks), climate change (including floods and droughts), and increased light pollution \u2013 again to blame.\u00a0Chemicals used in agriculture and gardening have also been found to not only kill fireflies but also their food sources, such as slugs, snails and worms.\u00a0<\/p>
Around 65\u00a0Lampyridae<\/em>\u00a0species are found in Europe.\u00a0Researchers from the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group assessed ten European species and found half of them to be threatened with extinction. Two species,\u00a0Lampyris pallida<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Luciola novaki<\/em>, are Endangered, while three are deemed Vulnerable. The common glow-worm (*Lampyris noctiluca<\/em>), the most widespread\u00a0Lampyridae<\/em>\u00a0species, is categorised as Near Threatened.\u00a0<\/p>*
\u201cThe humble British glow-worm was added to the global Red List, and it\u2019s future is uncertain, as the species was classified as Near Threatened, meaning it may also be pushed to extinction in the near future,\u201d says\u00a0Henriques.\u00a0\u201cHowever, this should also bring us hope and opportunity, as that means that we still have time to save it if we act now.\u201d<\/p>
The findings add to global calls for action on light pollution (which is known to impact insects and other wildlife species), chemical pollution (such as pesticides), and other threats to fireflies, glow-worms and other insects.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cIt\u2019s startling to learn that as many as one fifth of the world\u2019s fireflies could be facing\u00a0extinction,\u201d\u00a0says Dr Sara Lewis, IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group Co-Chair, from Tuft University in Boston, USA. \u201cBut the good news is that we already know enough about their ecology, behaviour and threats to protect these dazzling insects. What we need now is strong policies to protect firefly habitat and reduce chemical and light pollution.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
*Main image credit: Banthoon Pankaew<\/em><\/p>*
**More stories about the environment<\/strong><\/p>**
**Photographer captures magical bioluminescence event in Wales<\/a><\/li>**
**The world’s 16 most powerful environmental photos of the year (so far)<\/a><\/li>**
**Fighting fire from space: How AI could save millions of Australian animals from deadly wildfires<\/a><\/li>**
Cocaine smuggling is a threat to critical bird habitats in Central America<\/a><\/li><\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
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