Fireflies and their bright backsides bring a bit of whimsy and beauty to our backyards. While some cultures link their glow with the magic of ghosts and witches, for many Americans they evoke fond memories of lazy, warm summer evenings spent chasing them or just enjoying their bioluminescent show.
But these beloved summer staples may be struggling. Candace Fallon, who manages a firefly conservation program for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, says people frequently tell her they are seeing fewer of the twinkly beetles in their backyards. Like many other insects, fireflies are experiencing a population decline.