Abstract ID: 3.8436 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Fireflies (Insecta: Coleoptera: Lampyridae) are soft-bodied beetles, well-known for their bioluminescence, and are important bio-indicators of a healthy environment. They can present a good model to understand the impact of human activities on nocturnal wildlife. However, despite this significance, their diversity and ecological dynamics remain poorly studied in India, making their status data deficient. Thus, the current study was conducted with an aim to bridge the knowledge gap by assessing firefly diversity across four different forest divisions in Uttarakhand- Dehradun, Chakrata, Mussoorie, and Tehri. Furthermore, four different habitat types (forest, water, agriculture and urban) were selected, within each of which sampling plots of 100m X 100m were marked to sample firefly population, using sweeping net and hand collection methods. As a result, a total of eight firefly species representing five genera and two subfamilies were documented for the first time in Uttarakhand: Abscondita perplexa, Abscondita chinensis, Asymmetricata circumdata, Asymmetricata ovalis, Lamprigera tenebrosa, Lamprigera nepalensis, Medeopteryx sp., and Diaphanes sp. Among these, Abscondita perplexa and Asymmetricata ovalis were the most abundant and widely distributed species across all the habitat types, while the others were confined to specific habitats. Firefly species diversity recorded was highest in forest, followed by aquatic habitat type. Urban area with artificial night light and fragmented vegetation supported the lowest firefly diversity, highlighting the detrimental effects of habitat degradation. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustained research and conservation efforts to protect both firefly populations and their ecosystem. In addition to diversity assessment, a citizen science approach was employed to enhance public awareness about firefly conservation. Nationwide firefly surveys were conducted over four years (2021-2024) through an online platform, engaging people across the country. This initiative generated an extensive dataset on firefly occurrences from 20 states significantly contributing to our understanding of their distribution. With these findings, we aim to expand the research across the Himalayan region while fostering sustainable conservation strategies to protect these beetles and their habitats.