Endangered Status Proposed for Bethany Beach Firefly Amid Rising Climate and Habitat Challenges

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has put forward a proposal to list the Bethany Beach firefly as an endangered species. This would be the first time a firefly has been considered for such protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Found primarily in coastal areas of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, the species is increasingly vulnerable due to threats from climate change, including rising sea levels and the lowering of groundwater aquifers. These environmental changes are expected to impact all known habitats of the firefly by the end of the century.

Noted for its distinct double-green flash pattern, the Bethany Beach firefly is one of approximately 170 firefly species. First discovered in the 1950s, these fireflies appear in June and July but have been in sharp decline, already considered rare.

The firefly’s unique flashing behavior, which requires full darkness, is disrupted by human-made light pollution, a growing issue in coastal regions. This interference further threatens the species’ ability to communicate and reproduce.

In addition to light pollution, habitat loss due to coastal development poses a significant threat to the firefly’s survival. Residents living in areas where the Bethany Beach firefly is found are encouraged to take actions such as reducing outdoor lighting to help mitigate the damage.

This is part of a broader effort to prevent the firefly from becoming another casualty in the ongoing global decline of insect populations, often referred to as the “bug apocalypse.”

Insect species worldwide are increasingly at risk, with more than 70 beetle species currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Bethany Beach firefly is classified as “critically endangered” by the IUCN, reflecting its dire situation. As coastal regions continue to develop, firefly populations are being displaced, leading to their further decline.

A notable example occurred in 2019 when development on Breakwater Beach in New Jersey wiped out the largest known population of Bethany Beach fireflies. A developer was able to exploit a loophole in wetland protection laws, leading to the destruction of this crucial habitat. This incident underscores the importance of stricter protections to safeguard the remaining populations of this endangered firefly.