Ologies with Alie Ward: Lampyridology (Fireflies) with Dr. Sarah Lewis

Podcast Information:

• Title: Ologies with Alie Ward
• Host: Alie Ward
• Guest: Dr. Sarah Lewis, Professor of Biology at Tufts University
• Episode: Lampyridology (Fireflies) aka Sparklebuttology Updated Encore
• Release Date: July 2, 2025

1. Introduction to Sparklebuttology

In this enchanting episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves into the luminous world of fireflies with renowned firefly expert Dr. Sarah Lewis. Celebrating World Firefly Day on July 5th and 6th, Alie reconnects with Dr. Lewis to explore recent advancements in firefly conservation and share updated insights into these captivating insects.

2. Understanding Firefly Diversity and Biology

Dr. Sarah Lewis begins by addressing common misconceptions about fireflies:

“[07:01] Dr. Sarah Lewis: They are, you know, they're kind of unique in that way. Like, even insect haters love fireflies.”

Fireflies, or sparklebutts, are not true flies but belong to the beetle family Lampyridae, boasting over 2,000 species worldwide. Their sizes vary significantly, from tiny, visible-only-once-you-see-them to larger, wingless females found in places like Malaysia:

“[09:40] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... the genus is Lampragera. And they're actually really cool because the males look like regular little fireflies, but the females are giant, much, much bigger than the males.”

3. Firefly Behavior and Communication

Delving into firefly courtship, Dr. Lewis explains the intricate flashing patterns used for communication:

“[15:09] Dr. Sarah Lewis: They don't say anything at all. And so you can actually find out what a firefly female is thinking about a signal by just asking her.”

Fireflies engage in what Dr. Lewis terms a "courtship dialogue," where males signal availability with specific flash patterns, and females respond selectively. This visual communication aids in mate selection, with females often choosing males based on the duration and frequency of their flashes.

A fascinating discovery is the role of nuptial gifts—nutrient-rich packages males provide to females during mating:

“[16:35] Dr. Sarah Lewis: During mating, male fireflies are giving females not just their gametes, right? Not just their sperm, but also this package.”

These gifts enhance the females' ability to lay more eggs, linking visual signals to reproductive success.

4. Conservation Challenges and Efforts

Firefly populations are declining globally due to habitat loss, light pollution, pesticide use, and climate change. Dr. Lewis emphasizes the urgency of conservation:

“[27:35] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... fireflies spend up to two years living their lives in a completely different environment.”

Efforts are underway to protect critical habitats and mitigate threats. The Bethany Beach Firefly was recently added to the endangered species list in the U.S., highlighting the need for legal protections:

“[61:46] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... we successfully petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to add this critically endangered Bethany beach firefly.”

International collaboration, such as the Illuminating Firefly Diversity study published in 2024, underscores the coordinated global response to safeguard these magical insects.

5. Engaging the Community: Citizen Science and How to Help

Dr. Lewis advocates for community involvement through various citizen science projects:

“[59:07] Dr. Sarah Lewis: There's a lot of really, it's very exciting time to be a community scientist for fireflies.”

Platforms like the Western Firefly Project and Firefly Watch by the Massachusetts Audubon Society enable enthusiasts to contribute valuable data on firefly distributions and behaviors. Additionally, Dr. Lewis encourages supporting organizations like Fireflyers International and utilizing resources from the Xerces Society for actionable conservation strategies.

6. Listener Q&A Highlights

The episode features an engaging Q&A segment addressing common questions about fireflies:

• Do fireflies respond to noise?

  “[39:19] Dr. Sarah Lewis: Fireflies respond to a threat by often responding to a threat by making light because it is a warning signal.”

• Is it harmful to catch fireflies?
  Dr. Lewis recommends gentle catch-and-release practices while cautioning against mixing predator and prey species to prevent in-jars predation.

• Why do fireflies prefer overgrown grass?
  Protected, moist environments with ample shelter and prey support firefly life cycles:

  “[45:19] Dr. Sarah Lewis: One really important thing... is to leave your grass long, or better yet, make it into a wildflower meadow plant.”

• Do fireflies change colors?
  While most have consistent flash colors specific to their species, Dr. Lewis mentions ongoing research into genetic variations:

  “[49:01] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... tiny differences in the shape of that enzyme actually create different colors.”

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Lewis shares her passion for fireflies, emphasizing their role as ambassadors of natural wonder:

“[67:04] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... they are some of the best ambassadors for Earth's natural magic.”

Alie Ward and Dr. Lewis conclude by encouraging listeners to support firefly conservation, participate in community science, and continue marveling at the beauty of these nocturnal illuminators.

Additional Resources

• Book: Silent Spark by Dr. Sarah Lewis
• Websites: Fireflyers International.net, Xerces Society, Firefly Watch
• Photography Inspiration: Radim Schreiber’s Firefly Experience

For more information and to support firefly conservation efforts, visit the show notes linked on the Ologies website.

Notable Quotes:

• “[15:11] Dr. Sarah Lewis: They don't say anything at all. And so you can actually find out what a firefly female is thinking about a signal by just asking her.”
• “[27:35] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... fireflies spend up to two years living their lives in a completely different environment.”
• “[67:04] Dr. Sarah Lewis: ... they are some of the best ambassadors for Earth's natural magic.”

This summary captures the essence of the Ologies episode on fireflies, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the discussions, insights, and conservation messages shared by Dr. Sarah Lewis.