Firefly populations are declining worldwide due to habitat loss, light pollution, and pesticide use.
While the sentience of fireflies remains uncertain, their decline represents the loss of complex ecological roles and extraordinary behaviors shaped over millions of years. Firefly larvae occupy key positions in soil food webs. Light pollution forcing fireflies to compete with artificial light likely represents a form of sensory disruption affecting behavior. Pesticides that kill firefly larvae remove entire cohorts. Protecting firefly habitat protects entire nocturnal ecosystems and the many other species that depend on dark skies.