How a Firefly Sighting Becomes Science
Learn how your notes on Alitaptap turn into real data for firefly conservation.
Field notes
Firefly stories
Short, plain-language stories about fireflies — the species people are spotting, where to see them, why they glow, and what helps them survive.
Finding September Fireflies Out West
Join us on a journey to spot glowworms in the damp, cool forests of Washington and California this September.
Meet the Common Eastern Firefly
Learn how to spot the Common Eastern Firefly by its famous J-shaped flash pattern and find out what its neighborhood sightings tell us.
When Streetlights Hide the Firefly Glow
Streetlights and bright porch bulbs can drown out firefly signals just like they hide stars in the night sky.
Watching Fireflies Without Harming Them
Learn how to watch and photograph fireflies safely using red light and dark adaptation to protect their delicate signals.
Shooting Fireflies on Camera
Learn how filmmakers capture real firefly light on camera and how to spot digital tricks in videos.
Humming in the Dark
Discover how folk songs and old lullabies around the world use fireflies to tell stories about memory, family, and summer nights.
Following Firefly Seasons Around the Globe
Discover how firefly seasons change across the world and how people track them from month to month.
Finding Alitaptap Along Philippine Rivers
Discover how local communities protect Philippine fireflies and why river sightings matter for citizen science maps.
What Words Tell Us About Fireflies
Discover how different languages and cultures name fireflies, from alitaptap in the Philippines to glow-worms around the world.
September Fireflies Around the Globe
Discover which firefly species are active this September, from North Carolina to Japan, and what you can spot tonight.
Saving Firefly Homes
Learn how habitat loss affects fireflies and what you can do to protect their homes.