Latest news with #XercesSocietyforInvertebrateConservation
USA Today
5 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Far from extinction, fireflies seem to be thriving in summer 2025
Rainy, damp weather along the eastern United States in summer 2025 has one upside: Fireflies love it. "Fireflies and their prey (snails, slugs, worms) need moisture, so years with high rainfall, particularly in the spring, can boost populations of fireflies in the summer," said Candace Fallon, a conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. And warm, humid nights of 70 degrees or warmer are ideal for seeing the flashing lights that evoke nostalgia for many Americans, Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day told USA TODAY. It's hard to know for sure, but it appears that the whimsical bugs are indeed thriving in some areas. What is known: Fears of fireflies' imminent demise are misplaced, Day said. 'I would say fireflies are threatened due to habitat loss, but they are not going extinct, as some are adapting in different regions,' Day said. Indeed, of the 175 species of fireflies in the US, only 18 of are "threatened" with extinction, said Fallon. So while it's not good news for those few species, overall, "I don't think we're going to lose fireflies in our lifetimes," she told USA TODAY. Are firefly populations up in summer 2025? Fallon said in an email to USA TODAY that "from anecdotal reports, it does appear that at least the Midwest and Northeast are seeing record numbers of fireflies." She added that "we have heard from several areas of the country that folks are seeing an increase in fireflies this year, while in other regions we're been hearing the opposite." Day agreed, noting that it all depends on location, with rural areas typically seeing more fireflies while urban and suburban areas seeing fewer. Why do people care about fireflies? Whether you call them fireflies or lightning bugs, these illuminated insects are a sure sign of lazy, hot summer evenings. Many remember the thrill of running after them as a kid, trying to capture them in glass jars. "Fireflies evoke memories for people," Day told USA TODAY. "They harken back to our childhoods, reminding us of other times." "They're one of the most pleasant insects to come across... it a good thing to see fireflies," he added. Are fireflies a threatened or endangered species? Day said that generally, the answer to that is yes in urban areas, but to a lesser extent in rural areas. Fallon explained further: "While there are currently no listed firefly species under the US Endangered Species Act, one species (the Bethany Beach firefly) has been proposed for listing as a threatened species, and two others (the Florida intertidal firefly and Southwest spring firefly) are under review for listing." Overall, threatened firefly species are found in 16 states, all the way from Arizona to New York (see map below). As well, Fallon said two additional species have been petitioned (the mysterious lantern firefly and the loopy five firefly) but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet published 90-day findings on those species (in which they determine whether a full review for listing is warranted), Fallon explained. What are the main threats to fireflies? According to Fallon, "firefly populations are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, light pollution (which makes it difficult for fireflies to communicate with one another), pesticide use (which can kill them or their prey, or damage their habitat), and climate change (including drought, sea level rise, and storms)." How might climate change impact fireflies? "Because fireflies require moisture, drought related to climate change is a leading threat to fireflies, particularly in the arid West," Fallon told USA TODAY. "In some places, streams that were once perennial have now dried up, and in other areas, marshy areas and other wetlands have also disappeared. These once-perennial water sources are hugely important to fireflies, and their loss can lead to the loss of local populations." Fallon added that on the East Coast, sea-level rise and increased storm surges are having negative impacts on fireflies. In many coastal areas, firefly habitat is already hemmed in by human development on one side and the ocean on the other. As sea level rises, these habitat patches are disappearing. "In the case of increased severity and frequency of storm surges, the inundation of firefly habitats with saltwater can increase the salinity of a site, changing its vegetative makeup and making it uninhabitable for fireflies," Fallon said.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Grayslake residents share passion for monarch butterflies; ‘It's like this whole other world that you come into'
It's a sunny July afternoon, and Grayslake neighbors Annie Lawson and Heather Bauer are standing at the side of Lawson's home, carefully going through her garden of milkweed plants. Lawson points at what looks like nothing more than a pale speck on the underside of a leaf. 'Here's an egg,' she says, prompting a gleeful cheer from Bauer. In a few days, that egg will hatch a caterpillar barely a few millimeters long, which will binge itself on milkweed leaves for another two weeks. After that, it'll form a chrysalis, a small protective shell, inside which it will be radically transformed. From that shell will emerge a monarch butterfly, an iconic North American butterfly that has faced catastrophic population decline in recent decades. Both Lawson and Bauer have small signs designating their homes as monarch waystations, meaning they provide proper milkweed plants, nectar and shelter for monarch butterflies. Bauer, who began raising butterflies about five years ago, was the one who drew Lawson into the hobby. Today, they admit it's something of an obsession, with the egg hunt becoming a daily ritual during the hatching season. Bauer has her 'monarch mansion,' as the neighborhood children call it — a birdcage where she protects the caterpillars and butterflies before releasing them when they're ready. And Lawson showed, somewhat sheepishly, her photo diary of her first few years releasing butterflies, where she photographed, named and recorded each one. For both women, their efforts are a small way to combat the devastation human activity has brought to monarch butterfly populations, including climate change, deforestation and heavy pesticide use. The monarch butterfly is most renowned for its yearly odyssey. Some will travel up to 3,000 miles during their two-way winter journey, according to Monarch Watch, which provides the waystation signs sitting in Bauer and Lawson's yards. They travel in giant butterfly masses across the continent to either the coast of California or the mountains of Mexico. But since the 1980s and '90s, monarch populations have seen staggering declines. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, populations in central Mexico and coastal California have decreased by more than 80% and 95% respectively in recent decades. It's a drop Bauer and Lawson have had to see in their own lifetimes. 'It's really sad,' Lawson said. 'It kind of lit this sense of responsibility in me. How hard is it to plant milkweed?' Bauer and Lawson explained that native milkweed is critical to the monarch's lifecycle, acting as the butterfly's host plant. It's where they lay their eggs and it feeds them as caterpillars. 'If you don't have milkweed, you don't have monarchs,' Lawson said. Both heavily encourage everyone to plant milkweed and get involved in raising monarch butterflies. Neither claims to be a bug expert, but they argue their lack of expertise actually shows how easy it could be to learn. 'You can go online and read about it and get yourself started,' Bauer said. 'As you keep doing it, it gets better and easier.' It's also drawn in their neighbors and community, and the two are discussing plans for creating a summer program to get school children involved. 'It's like this whole other world that you come into,' Bauer said. 'When you find an egg, you get excited, it's like a new baby. Watching them grow is crazy.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cicadas to swarm Ohio like locusts. So are cicadas locusts? Can you eat them? What to know
Cicadas are getting ready to descend on Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio like a plague of locusts. The latest 17-year brood, Brood XIV, may only be a couple of weeks away from emerging this spring. When the soil hits the right temperature — 64 degrees, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources — these noisy insects will surface from their underground home and start breeding the next generation. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming swarm. Cicadas, like locusts, show up suddenly and in large numbers, and can sometimes be called "locusts," according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. However, cicadas are not locusts. Locusts are grasshoppers, and the two species are not closely related, according to the Xerces Society. Locusts also swarm for different reasons. Brood XIV is one of 15 recognized broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, and one of four that appear in the Buckeye State, per ODNR. They emerge when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, which typically happens in the second half of May. Annual cicadas emerge around the world each year, but periodical cicadas are found only in eastern North America. They live underground as nymphs for either 13 or 17 years before emerging above ground in massive numbers. Different populations of periodical cicadas are called 'broods' and are numbered with Roman numerals. They are active for three to four weeks as they focus on mating and reproduction, per ODNR. Male periodical cicadas produce a deafening chorus of calls to attract females. Once mated, female cicadas deposit their eggs into the branches of trees and shrubs before dying. Brood XIV cicadas will stretch from northern Georgia to Massachusetts. In Ohio, they will emerge in a more than dozen counties, per ODNR, mostly in Southwest Ohio: Adams Brown Butler Champaign Clermont Clinton Gallia Greene Hamilton Highland Jackson Lawrence Pike Ross Scioto Warren Washington Some of the edge counties will not see as heavy an emergence as others. While swarms of noisy insects may be unsettling for some, cicadas are harmless to people and pets, according to ODNR. They are also a valuable food source for native wildlife, including birds, mammals and fish. While egg-laying by female cicadas can cause 'flagging' on trees and shrubs (death of branch tips, from the egg-laying site to the end of the branch), there is little to no impact on established, otherwise healthy plants, ODNR states. Small or newly planted trees and shrubs are more vulnerable to damage and can be protected by covering them with fine netting for the few weeks that adult cicadas are active. Using pesticides on cicadas is not warranted or recommended. Any animal that can eat insects will eat cicadas, according to the Purdue University Extension. Those include fish, bears, birds, raccoons and even other insects, like parasitic wasps. They're also safe for your dog to eat, to a point. According to the American Kennel Club, a dog that eats the occasional cicada should be fine. However dogs that gorge on cicadas will find their exoskeletons difficult to digest, resulting in an upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Some dogs that overconsume cicadas may require a trip to the vet for IV fluids, or pain and anti-nausea medications. States expecting cicadas this year include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group that crowdsources and reviews data on cicadas, told USA TODAY. Kentucky and Tennessee probably will get the most cicadas this year, said John Cooley, an ecology and biology associate professor in residence at the University of Connecticut. There will also be large numbers in Georgia, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania, he said. Kritsky collects data on cicadas through Cicada Safari. He encourages parents and guardians to talk to their children about cicadas and try out some of the activities he has listed on his website. 'If you're lucky enough to live in an area where the cicadas are and you've got kids, take them outside during the night,' he told USA TODAY. 'Let them see this. This is a once-in-a-generation activity. They'll never forget it.' This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cicadas to swarm Ohio in 2025. Are cicadas locusts? Map shows Ohio emergence
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
When is peak monarch migration in Texas? Track butterfly sightings on interactive map
Monarchs are on the move. Each spring, these delicate yet resilient butterflies embark on an awe-inspiring journey from their wintering grounds in Mexico, making their way northward across the continent. And this year's migration brings somewhat good news: the population has doubled since last year. The latest count from the World Wildlife Fund offers a glimmer of hope for the eastern monarch population. Released earlier this month, the organization's annual count tracks the population by measuring the area monarchs occupy in central Mexico's forests during winter, rather than counting individual butterflies. This year, the monarchs occupied 4.42 acres of forest habitat — nearly twice as much as last year's 2.22 acres. Still, eastern monarch populations remain significantly below the long-term average, with 2024 figures showing a 59% decline from 2023, marking the second lowest level since record-keeping began. At the same time, the population of western monarch butterflies has also seen a decline. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation monitors this population and reported the lowest count of monarch butterflies on record, 9,119 butterflies. In 2023, the western population was around 233,400 butterflies, down nearly 30% from 2022. Monarch butterflies begin their northward journey from their Mexican roosts during the second week of March, in search of milkweed plants to lay their eggs, according to Monarch Watch. This makes Texas an especially important state for the species, as their migration aligns with the timing of their travel through the Lone Star State. The peak of the spring monarch butterfly migration in Texas typically occurs from late March to early April as they move northward from their overwintering grounds in Mexico. The charismatic insects primarily travel through cities along the I-35 corridor, taking advantage of air currents, including the jet stream, to aid in their migration. Several reports have already emerged of monarch butterflies heading toward North Texas. There have not been any sightings reported north of Oklahoma City at this point in their migration. They're more likely to be seen on warm, sunny days. The eastern monarch population overwinters primarily in the oyamel fir forests of the Sierra Madre Mountains in central Mexico, which provide a microclimate essential for their survival during the winter months. In the summer, they live primarily in the northern U.S.. and Canada. This decline is attributed to several factors, including habitat loss and a reduction in essential forage, such as milkweed. These issues are primarily driven by agriculture — particularly pesticide and herbicide use — and other forms of development. Additionally, rising temperatures are contributing to their decline. Plant milkweed: Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed (Asclepias spp.), which is crucial for the survival of their caterpillars as the plant is toxic to birds. Include different varieties such as common milkweed, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed. Add nectar plants: Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Monarchs are particularly attracted to flowers such as asters, coneflowers, zinnias, lantana and black-eyed Susans. They are more attracted to brighter colors, and flowers with a flat shape provide easier access. Create a sunny spot: Monarchs prefer sunny areas to warm up. Provide open, sunny spaces in your garden where they can bask. Provide water sources: Offer shallow dishes with water or create a small puddling area with damp soil. Avoid pesticides: Using pesticides and herbicides can harm butterflies and their caterpillars. Instead, consider natural pest control methods. Create shelter: Provide sheltered areas where butterflies can hide from strong winds and predators, such as shrubs or trees. More: Butterflies are in trouble. It doesn't take much to help JourneyNorth is encouraging people to report monarch sightings on its website. You can submit your observations of adult monarchs, eggs, or larvae to JourneyNorth. Include as much detail as possible, such as the monarch's gender, activity and, if known, the type of flowers it's nectaring on or the milkweed species if it's laying eggs. Photos are highly encouraged and welcome with all reports. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: When is peak monarch migration in Texas? Track butterflies on map live
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts fear extinction as California's monarch population plummets
The Western population of the monarch butterfly has declined to a near-record low with fewer than 10,000 found living in the US state of California this winter, a foreboding sign for the future of the beloved black-and-orange insect. An annual count recorded 9,119 butterflies this winter, according to results released by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. This is the second-lowest population recorded since tracking began in 1997. An all-time low of fewer than 2,000 monarchs was recorded in 2020. The society said these numbers underscored the importance of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's new proposal to list the butterfly as a federally endangered species. The butterfly's Western population has plummeted more than 95% since the 1980s, when up to 4 million butterflies were estimated to spend winter in California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Without urgent conservation efforts, the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that the Western population faces a 99% chance of extinction by 2080. Habitat destruction, pesticides and extreme weather fluctuation due to climate change are all to blame for the butterfly's decline. This year's particularly poor showing can also be attributed to an usually hot and dry fall, which probably slowed butterfly breeding and the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies, said Emma Pelton, an endangered species biologist with the Xerces Society. Los Angeles-area wildfires wiped out habitats At a local level, the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires damaged tree groves where these butterflies live, including a habitat site in Lower Topanga Canyon where more than 100 butterflies were recorded in last year's count, she said. Another alarming finding was made at a site in Santa Barbara County, which went from recording 33,200 monarchs last winter to only 198 this year. The count is conducted by about 400 volunteers at 257 sites along California's coastline and Baja California, Mexico, where the Western monarch population gathers to pass winter before fanning out across the West from Arizona to Idaho in spring. The Eastern monarch population — which has decreased more than 80% since the 1980s — spends winters in the mountains of central Mexico and warm months in the eastern half of the United States, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This year's Western monarch count marks a sharp decline from the last three years, when more than 200,000 Western monarchs were recorded each year, thanks, in part, to more favourable weather conditions, said Pelton. But even counts in the 200,000 range mark a dangerous decrease from the millions of butterflies observed in the 1980s that scientists consider a stable population level. "Insect populations commonly fluctuate from year to year," according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. "The overall downward trend remains concerning, particularly if the threats are not ameliorated." Calls to list monarch as endangered species since 2014 The monarch butterfly was first petitioned to be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2014, but that effort was shelved due to more urgent population priorities. In late 2024, the US Fish and Wildlife Service released a proposal to list the butterfly as an endangered species. "The iconic monarch butterfly is cherished across North America, captivating children and adults throughout its fascinating lifecycle. Despite its fragility, it is remarkably resilient, like many things in nature when we just give them a chance," said Martha Williams, then-director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, in a December statement. "Science shows that the monarch needs that chance." The service has also proposed designating 4,395 acres as critical habitat for the Western monarch population across Alameda, Marin, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura counties to help support population regrowth. The service will be accepting public comments on the proposed threatened species designation and make a final decision by the end of 2025. More pesticide regulation needed to save monarch In addition to supporting the designation, the Xerces Society is urging the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take into account the effect of pesticides on butterflies before approving the products for market. Currently, the only insect included in the EPA's required pesticide testing is the adult honeybee. Testing by the Xerces Society and the University of Nevada-Reno found that milkweed leaves, the main food source for the monarch caterpillar, were contaminated by 64 pesticides. One of these pesticides, methoxyfenozide, was found in 96% of milkweed samples, but it is allowed to be used under current pesticide regulations because it is not toxic to bees. "We know pesticides are a key driver of monarch and other pollinator declines. Yet there are glaring gaps in the EPA's oversight of pesticides: the vast majority of pesticides have never been tested for their impacts on butterflies," said Rosemary Malfi, director of conservation policy at the Xerces Society, in a statement. "How can we protect these essential species if we're missing the basic information needed to make better decisions?"
