Is the Suncoast firefly population going extinct?

Fireflies have faced threats of habitat loss and light pollution, but they aren’t going extinct. 

Instead, they are adapting to other regions with more suitable environments. Fireflies light up to attract mates, so they are drawn to darker places with less light pollution. 

Fireflies are present in Sarasota County, but you might not see them as frequently as other parts of the state due to the level of human development in the area.

Though fireflies as a whole aren’t going extinct, human activity can have major consequences for the insect. One species –– the Florida intertidal firefly –– that calls the Sunshine State its home is endangered due to light pollution and habitat loss.

Other factors affecting firefly populations include pesticide use, climate change, and water pollution, especially where firefly larvae are aquatic.