Why Should Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) be Understood and Conserved?
Parvez
Entomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Ballygunge – 700019, Kolkata, India and Sustainable Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Association, Delhi – 110094, Delhi, India.
A. K. Chakravarthy
Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute, Bangalore – 560078, Karnataka, India.
Ashutosh Dey
Sustainable Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Association, Delhi – 110094, Delhi, India.
Abhishek Mishra
Sustainable Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Association, Delhi – 110094, Delhi, India and Department of Zoology, St Joseph’s University, Bangalore – 560027, Karnataka, India.
Amlan Das *
Entomology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Ballygunge – 700019, Kolkata, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Fireflies are well known for their bioluminescent capabilities and play an important role in various ecosystems, human culture, and scientific innovation. Ecologically, they serve as critical bioindicators and contribute to the food chain as predators. Economically, fireflies support ecotourism. In the field of biomedicine, they are useful in cancer treatment. Fireflies are culturally embedded in folklore, traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems. This review highlights current research and ethnological narratives that underscore the need for firefly conservation.
Keywords: Fireflies, bioluminescence, ecosystems, snail