This seminar will be held virtually on Zoom here | Meeting ID: 879 2608 0994 | Password: 228523
Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are highly charismatic insects that rank among our best ambassadors for Earth’s natural magic. For centuries their ethereal beauty has sparked wonder and inspired poets, artists, and children of all ages. Fireflies have also provided fundamentally important insights into chemical ecology and sexual selection, and their bioluminescent talents have yielded valuable tools for biomedical and agricultural research. With 2200+ species worldwide, these beetles boast remarkable diversity in life history and sexual signaling modes. However, like many other insects, in many parts of the world fireflies are threatened by habitat loss, light pollution, pesticide overuse and overtourism. Beginning in 2018, a conservation partnership between the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group and The Xerces Society has been leading local, regional, and global efforts to protect these charismatic insects.