Fireflies enchant people worldwide with their bioluminescent displays, but populations are declining due to light pollution, habitat loss, and collection for tourism. Their welfare merits consideration.
While the sentience of fireflies remains uncertain, their complex behaviours and the disruption of fundamental life processes by human activity warrant welfare consideration. Chronic light pollution prevents successful mating, causing reproductive failure at the population level. Physical capture for tourism or research causes direct trauma. Habitat loss — particularly wetland drainage — eliminates the moist environments firefly larvae need. Applying the precautionary principle supports minimising harm.