Dr. V. P. Uniyal, Former Scientist-G, Wildlife Institute of India and Chairperson, AMBER Foundation and Ms. Nidhi Rana (Ph.D. student) has organized three consecutive fireflies survey’s (2021-2023) across the country. Nidhi Rana is a Rufford guarantee and doing her Ph.D. on fireflies of Doon valley, Western Himalayas. She has been assessing the diversity of fireflies of Doon valley and also the impact of anthropogenic pressures on their population. They organized the surveys with the aim to provide the occurrence data of fireflies throughout the country, in order to deliver the basic data to encourage further studies on fireflies.
There are approx. 2200 species of fireflies all over the world and according to Zoological Survey of India we have a rough estimate of 50 species to be known from India. But there are not much studies which can raise the curtain from the exact number of species from India.
Fireflies are flashing beetles under the family Lampyridae, order Coleoptera. There are approx. 2200 fireflies species throughout the world and many more are yet to be discovered. They serves as bio-indicators of a healthy environment, their presence indicates good soil structure, water quality, etc. Furthermore, they are potential predators of our garden pests like slugs, snails, and other small invertebrates and maintain an ecological balance. They have a lifecycle of 1-2 years, they lay eggs on leaves and soil. Their eggs hatch into larvae in 3-4 weeks. They are predaceous and are general predators of garden pests like slugs, snails, earthworms, etc. Larvae generally prefer to live under leaves and damp soil. The larval stage is the largest in the firefly's whole lifecycle, as it metamorphosed into a pupa in 1-2 years. The pupal stage is for 3-4 weeks and after it emerges into an adult firefly, which also has a short lifespan of 3-4 weeks. All stages from egg to adult have the ability to glow and this illuminating property is due to the presence of an enzyme-substrate complex i.e., Luciferase-Luciferin in their abdomen. When this luciferase interacts with luciferin in the presence of oxygen, ATP, and magnesium ions in their body; light produces, and the light that they produce is the 100% conversion of energy, nothing gets lost in the form of heat and that is why; light produces by them called as “Cold light”. Their enzyme luciferase is an important one, not only in their respective but also for us. Scientists have discovered that this enzyme can also be used in the tracking of tumor and viral infections through BLI (Bioluminescence imaging technique). Nonetheless, their population is declining due to habitat fragmentation, night light pollution, uses of pesticides in the agricultural fields.
Fireflies are flashing beetles under the family Lampyridae, order Coleoptera. There are approx. 2200 fireflies species throughout the world and many more are yet to be discovered. They serves as bio-indicators of a healthy environment, their presence indicates good soil structure, water quality, etc. Furthermore, they are potential predators of our garden pests like slugs, snails, and other small invertebrates and maintain an ecological balance. They have a lifecycle of 1-2 years, they lay eggs on leaves and soil. Their eggs hatch into larvae in 3-4 weeks. They are predaceous and are general predators of garden pests like slugs, snails, earthworms, etc. Larvae generally prefer to live under leaves and damp soil. The larval stage is the largest in the firefly's whole lifecycle, as it metamorphosed into a pupa in 1-2 years. The pupal stage is for 3-4 weeks and after it emerges into an adult firefly, which also has a short lifespan of 3-4 weeks. All stages from egg to adult have the ability to glow and this illuminating property is due to the presence of an enzyme-substrate complex i.e., Luciferase-Luciferin in their abdomen. When this luciferase interacts with luciferin in the presence of oxygen, ATP, and magnesium ions in their body; light produces, and the light that they produce is the 100% conversion of energy, nothing gets lost in the form of heat and that is why; light produces by them called as “Cold light”. Their enzyme luciferase is an important one, not only in their respective but also for us. Scientists have discovered that this enzyme can also be used in the tracking of tumor and viral infections through BLI (Bioluminescence imaging technique). Nonetheless, their population is declining due to habitat fragmentation, night light pollution, uses of pesticides in the agricultural fields.
Undoubtedly, these little insects perform countless and significant tasks, yet they are data deficient especially in India. Therefore, a study has been started by Dr. V. P. Uniyal and his student Ms. Nidhi Rana to assess the diversity of these magnificent beetles in Doon valley. Aiming to encourage people participation in the cause, they had started the firefly survey in 3rd -4th July, 2021 on the occasion of World Firefly Day. Datasheet was prepared and circulated through Institutional website and personal contacts. The survey receives good response from all over the country. More than 71 people participated and submitted the data from 14 states of India. Moreover, the survey was again conducted on 3rd – 4th July, 2022 following the same pattern. This time the survey receives commendable participation of more than 170 people from 19 states of the country (Fig.1). Seeing the accumulative involvement of individuals, they had organized the survey for the third consecutive year on 2nd – 3rd July, 2023. This time the participation link has reached to more than 3000 individuals, and hoping to surpass the information and people participation than previous year. Conducting studies and surveys are not of any use if the society is not aware of it. Thus, these survey also serves to engage more and more people to the knowledge about fireflies.
Firefly Webinar 2023.
Research Paper
Annual report 2023
Hands on Training Report
Pursuit of felicity
World Firefly Day News
