How Fireflies Are Filmed for Movies and How to Spot Fake Glows
Discover how filmmakers capture real firefly flashes in the dark and how to tell real insect footage from movie CGI.
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.
Bright Songs of the Dark: Fireflies in Folk Tales and Music
Discover how old songs and folk tales from around the world reveal our long history of living alongside fireflies.
A Year of Firefly Festivals Around the World
Discover when fireflies glow across the globe, from June festivals in Japan and Tennessee to winter watching in Australia.
The Fireflies of the Philippines and the Story Behind Alitaptap
Discover how Philippine communities protect glowing fireflies along riverbanks, and learn where our site gets its name.
What Does Alitaptap Mean? Firefly Stories Around the World
Learn where the word alitaptap comes from and how people around the world tell stories about fireflies.
How Your Nighttime Firefly Sightings Turn into Real Science
Learn how recording firefly sightings in your yard helps scientists track and protect firefly species around the world.
What Fireflies Are Doing Right Now: Your Late July Guide
Discover which firefly species are active across the world in late July and learn what to look for in your own yard tonight.
How Artificial Light Hurts Fireflies and How You Can Help
Bright outdoor lights make it hard for fireflies to talk to each other. Here are four easy ways your family can save dark skies tonight.
How Fireflies Make Light Without Getting Hot
Learn the simple chemistry behind firefly flashes, how cold light works, and why glowing larvae hunt snails in your backyard.
Meet the Common Eastern Firefly and Its Glowing J Pattern
Learn how to spot the Common Eastern Firefly by its swooping J-shaped flash and what its presence tells us about backyard habitats.
Inside Tatsuno: Japan's Famous Firefly Festival
Learn how a Japanese town saved its water snails and built one of the world's most famous firefly festivals.
Where to Find Summer Fireflies in Parks and Backyards
Discover where fireflies live in yards, woods, and parks, and learn how to watch their glowing signals safely in your neighborhood.