In the midst of summer when dusk arrives and the coolness brings relief to the hot day-time temperatures, glowing speckles of light emerge out of the darkness.
Known as fireflies, lightening bugs, or glowworms, these small critters are a favorite summer past time.
Did you know there are different types of fireflies, each with their own pattern and color of flashing? Just as there are different breeds of dogs, there are many types of fireflies.
Interestingly, not all fireflies light up at night. To be considered a firefly, a species must illuminate at some point in their life. Some species glow in their early life stage as larvae, while other glow as adults.
There are at least 25 species of fireflies found throughout West Virginia, but because new species are continuously being documented and others are threatened, we are unsure how many species are in West Virginia. Many firefly species are declining due to habitat loss, light pollution, pesticide use, and other environmental changes.
The most common firefly is the big dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis). This species is found in lawns and yards throughout the state. Other types of fireflies prefer forested areas or other habitats such as wetlands, meadows, or near streams.
Check out the resources below to learn more about fireflies of West Virginia and how to identify them based on their habitats, flashing pattern and color, and the time of year they are present.
Light Up West Virginia – WV Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia Firefly Website – descriptions and animations to identify fireflies
Please send any related questions to westvirginiafireflies@gmail.com.
By Jessica Bryzek
Guardians of the West Fork Watershed 