Firefly populations worldwide are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and artificial light pollution that disrupts their bioluminescent mating signals.
Fireflies face a convergence of threats: wetland drainage destroys larval habitat, pesticides kill both adults and their invertebrate prey, and suburban light pollution disrupts mating. Because firefly larvae live underground for up to two years, population declines may not become apparent until recovery is difficult. Their ecological role as predators and prey makes their decline significant for ecosystem health.