Why is it in the news?
Scientists compiled the first comprehensive checklist of Indian fireflies based on over 260 years of scientific records.
The study identified the diversity and distribution of firefly species across India.
Category: Environment
Important Points:
● The checklist documented 92 firefly species belonging to 27 genera.
● It used scientific records spanning from 1881 to 2025.
● More than 60% of the identified species are endemic to India.
● Over 50 species have not been recorded again since their original description in the 1800s.
● Fireflies belong to the family Lampyridae within the order Coleoptera.
● They produce light through bioluminescence involving luciferin, luciferase, oxygen and ATP.
● The Western Ghats recorded the highest diversity with about 25.33% of species.
● The North-East accounted for about 22.66% of species followed by the Gangetic Plain and Deccan Peninsula.
● Fireflies are declining rapidly due to light pollution and urbanisation.