Fireflies Are About To Go Extinct Due To Pollution
According to the reports, firefly species are facing the threat of extinction due to light pollution.
A research team led by Tufts University biology professor Sara Lewis conducted a research on fireflies to identify the biggest threats for their species. According to their findings, they are suffering a great deal from habitat loss. Fireflies have also been killed by insecticides, as have many insects. But the research team also pointed out the light pollution issue which was the most unexpected concern.
Most of us think the light of a firefly is mesmerizing, but it is also essential for its survival. The blinking caused by bioluminescence is a vital part of its mating process. If fireflies can’t see each other’s light signals, they can’t mate and their population suffers greatly from it. The scientists found out that artificial light is a huge threat to fireflies with more than 23% of the world experiencing some degree of light pollution. They recommended regulating the usage of artificial outdoor lights to make them more suitable for fireflies’ mating process.
