Are There More Lightning Bugs (They're Actually Beetles) in NYC This Summer?

Some New Yorkers have been thinking/wondering/asking Twitter: Is it just me or are there a TON of lightning bugs out this summer? 

Excuse me but I need everyone to confirm or deny that there have been 100x more fireflies in NYC this summer than normal

— Kevin Morris (@ktnmorris) July 15, 2018

So, we decided to do some poking around to see if there's any truth to these observations. 

Don Salvatore is the now-retired founder of the Citizen Science Firefly Watch. The group has been collecting data for 10 years now. But he says, this small timeline of data they've gathered isn't enough to make a conclusive statement about whether the firefly population is increasing or decreasing.

"It's kinda like climate data," Salvatore explained to WNYC. "Year-to-year, it's hard to get an idea of what's going on."

But overall, he suspects the population is decreasing, since humans like to mess with the environments lightning bugs favor: moist fields with little light pollution.

Salvatore says, if you're seeing more fireflies this year, don't read into it too much. But if you AREN'T seeing fireflies where you'd expect to, like your suburban backyard, that might be an indication that something's wrong in that micro-environment that's probably affecting other, not-so-glowy insects as well.

(Oh, and a subnote for those interested in the "firefly vs. lightning bug" name debate: Both names are technically wrong, since these insects are beetles. #lightningbeetles)

Here's how to participate in the Firefly Watch:

1. Visit the Mass Audobon website to register a new account. (You'll need to enter your email address.)
2. Add your exact location on the map.
3. Learn about different flashing patterns before you count, so you'll be able to recognize them. 
4. You'll be asked to enter the date, habitat type (mowed lawn, pavement, etc.), temperature and weather conditions. Then count the number of flashes you see in a 10 second interval, three times.