From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Facebook Page:  

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Photo Credit: Eli Caywood

The fascinating flicker of fireflies is a Wisconsin summer staple, but habitat loss and degradation, light pollution, and climate change (in particular, associated drought and sea level rise) appear to be some of the primary drivers of the decline of firefly populations. Pesticide use is suspected to play a major role as well.

Fireflies spend most of their lifecycle on the ground feasting on slugs, snails and pests like cutworms, so insecticide-free yards are much more likely to twinkle on hot summer evenings!

They’re already emerging in their flying form and can be spotted in backyards and grasslands.

You can take steps in your own yard to help us protect these shining summer pals, like leaving some of your yard or garden wild and turning off your outdoor lights on summer nights.

Learn more about fireflies and help track them with the Firefly Atlas: https://www.fireflyatlas.org/

Find this article interesting? Learn this and more on the DNR’s facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WIDNR