Use Your Garden to Support Fireflies

 

I was out this week at dusk and was pleased to see a sprinkling of fireflies blinking in the darkest areas. I chased them around a bit, hoping to get some photos, but mostly I just collected a bunch of spider webs. You may have heard that fireflies have been decreasing in population, and people have realized that they are seeing fewer of them (if any at all).

Photinus pyralis, common eastern firefly

We are fortunate that one man has made it his mission and his work to document how humans can help fireflies; his website firefly.org has lots of information to help us learn more so that we can do better about supporting them. I learned that my fireflies are Photinus pyralis, or the common eastern firefly.

If you’re already following garden practices usually associated with having more native plants (reduced pesticides, leaving organic material) then you are well on your way. Firefly larvae are carnivorous so the actual plants you use are not as important. Firefly spend most of their life (up to 2 years) as larvae, eating small insects, slugs, and snails. It is unclear what adults eat but they only live for 3-4 weeks. Adults do appreciate having vegetation like long grasses (think ornamental grasses) that they can rest in during the day.

So while you’re busy adding native plants to your garden, reducing your use of pesticides, and leaving your leaves – know that you’re also helping out these fairies of the night. And get out there and see them. We enjoyed catching (and releasing) fireflies in July 2021 with our grandson; it’s a fun way to help kids understand that special creatures are all around us.