What happened to the firefly population?

When I was a child growing up my parents would take me to visit my grandparents in the country. There was nothing for a kid to do in the country so country folks made up all kinds of things to keep us kids occupied and intent. Often my grandma would punch holes in top of a jar lid and send me out to catch fireflies. I caught hundreds before releasing them. So many that the jar resembled a neon light. I seldom see even a couple of fireflies these days. Are fireflies becoming extinct? What's the deal? I live in the country.

Answer:
I've heard a report on the firefly's disappearing and the article said scientists believe firefly's aren't mating as often anymore because of all the city light and street lights and other lamps and lights that we have on all night, see they light up to find a mate and so many are confused and mistaking the fluorescent lights for false lights and not mating, the article said most firefly's mate at night in dark areas and if there are alot of lights around they dont mate simple as that. it also said in high populated areas like near a city you will see less than in the country because of this. hope that helped
Burnt out.
They... Got... BURNT OUT. with all the Requests... for Light!

Thanks, RR
It has been speculated that they are being eradicated trying to eliminate the West Nile Virus. Vector spraying and
backyard weekenders are not ridding us of the mosquito
but; are putting the little lights out permanent.

If they relocated them some where there isn't spraying like they do with bird relocation; we may not lose them all.

Maybe we can get butterfly and dragonfly enthusiasts to save
the lightning bug
Noticed exactly the same drop off in the Firefly population and I wonder if it's a factor of global warming, insecticide, herbicides or some other reason??

Great question.
Plenty of fireflys here.

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