Abstract

Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are a family of beetles with over 2,600 species worldwide, including 64 in continental Europe. They exhibit diverse ecological traits, with some species being bioluminescent and others relying on pheromones for intraspecific communication. Fireflies occupy varied habitats, including wetlands, forests, and urban areas, with larvae playing a beneficial role as predators of soft-bodied invertebrates. This review examines the taxonomy, biogeography, and ecological significance of fireflies, with a focus on their habitat requirements and environmental sensitivity. It also outlines major threats to fireflies, including habitat loss, artificial light pollution, pesticide exposure, and climate change. This review summarizes existing knowledge on firefly biology and conservation while highlighting strategies for population monitoring and habitat management. Practical conservation approaches, such as reducing the impact of artificial lighting and promoting sustainable land use, are discussed, together with a Croatian case study illustrating the role of citizen science in firefly data collection, monitoring, and conservation research.

Keywords

Lampyridae, bioluminescence, habitat loss, light pollution, global warming, conservation, monitoring

Fulltext

Glowing concerns: A review on firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) ecology and conservation with insights from citizen science initiatives