MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS — A joint study by Tuft University and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has found that fireflies are being threatened by habitat loss, light pollution and pesticide use.<br /><br />Researchers surveyed 49 firefly experts from around the world in order to get a better understanding of prominent threats faced by roughly 2,000 different firefly species.<br /><br />Habitat loss was believed to be the largest threat to fireflies worldwide as their habitats are shrinking due to loss of land. <br /><br />Artificial light pollution is the second largest threat to fireflies globally as it interferes with their natural light which is used for communication and mating purposes. <br /><br />The use of pesticides was regarded to be the third largest threat as it is harmful to insects that fireflies consume for survival.<br /><br />Study author Sara M. Lewis, told the Washington Post that this was the first time a comprehensive list of threats, based on expert opinions, has been written about fireflies from around the world.
