Firefly Survey Reveals Encouraging Results

Richard Joyce, a biologist for the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation and  a coordinator of the Firefly Atlas Project, reached out to Friends and the Refuge for support to conduct surveys of firefly species, with a focus on imperiled salt marsh species. A group joined Richard on a survey in April 2025 with encouraging results.

These surveys were part of an effort to understand the distribution of two firefly species that are thought to be imperiled by threats such as sea level rise and habitat loss: the Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) and the keel-necked firefly (Pyractomena ecostata). The Florida intertidal firefly was actually first described from a specimen that was collected in Cedar Key, and researchers from UF have done firefly research at the Shell Mound site for decades, but it has been over ten years since the species was observed or collected there.

Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) adults. Photo credit: Xerces Society / Richard Joyce

Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) adults. Photo credit: Xerces Society / Richard Joyce

​Richard related the following account of the survey:

"A group of surveyors from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the Friends of the Refuges, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida State Parks met up at sunset at the Shell Mound and scanned for flashes or glows as night fell. About 40 minutes after sunset, we spotted the first firefly glowing as it flew near the boardwalk. We caught this firefly in a net and by examining it were able to confirm that it was an adult male Florida intertidal firefly. ​

Members of the survey crew from Xerces Society, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, FL State Parks, and Friends of the Refuges. Photo credit: Ann Kamzelski

As it continued to get darker, more flashes began to sparkle at the edge of the salt marsh and mangroves-- male fireflies advertising their presence to females waiting in the vegetation near the high tide line. We also found multiple firefly larvae, spotting their glows as they crawled in the marsh. These larvae are predatory, feeding on snails.

Firefly larvae

Given the significant storm surge that Cedar Key experienced last year during Hurricane Helene, it was heartening to find that the Shell Mound's firefly population was able to weather the storm. The Shell Mound site is significant for the Florida intertidal firefly because it is the northernmost place on the Gulf coast where it is known to occur. The following night, a group of surveyors looked for Florida intertidal fireflies at the Fishbone Creek boat landing in Dixie county, but found none.

There is still a lot we don't know about fireflies in the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Key Refuges! Have you seen fireflies in the marshes and mangroves in Levy or Dixie counties? If you are interested in surveying other sites in the area, the Firefly Atlas provides data sheets and a portal for submitting your findings."
                                                                                                      -Richard Joyce