Glimmer of hope: Kol prof discovers 2 firefly species
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Kolkata: Two new species of fireflies have been discovered by a city researcher who has been studying these fascinating insects for nearly a decade.
Bethune College assistant professor Srinjana Ghosh found one firefly at the Sunderbans world heritage site and the other near Thakurpukur in Kolkata.
The species, christened Triangulara sunderbanensis and Medeopteryx bengalensis, were published in the international journal, 'Oriental Insects'.
"Triangulara sunderbanensis is the second species to be discovered in the world under the Triangulara genus. The other was recorded in Thailand. Medeopteryx bengalensis is the first discovery of a new species under the Medeopteryx genus in India. This is the 26th species of this genus to be discovered," said Ghosh, who has worked on the conservation of fireflies for years and published the Luciolinae Conservation Index in 'Tropical Ecology Journal' in 2025.
The index details the conservation status of the sub-family Luciolinae.
The discovery of the two species, particularly Medeopteryx bengalensis in Kolkata, is significant since the urban sprawl and light pollution led to a rapid decline in fireflies. There are many threat factors, including the use of pesticides, disappearance of habitats like water bodies and associated plants, changes in the distribution of earthworms and molluscs that firefly larvae feed on, encroachment of invasive species, and exposure to automobile exhaust and heavy metals.
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However, the most significant factor affecting the firefly population is artificial light pollution.
"The light we see in fireflies is cold light caused by an enzymatic reaction. The light they emit plays an important role in courtship signals during the mating season. When exposed to artificial light, their own signal gets masked, which affects mating and their reproduction," said Ghosh, who published a paper on the impact of light on the firefly population in 2024.
While fireflies are small creatures, their disappearance from semi-urban areas has already robbed children of the sense of wonder that they experienced on seeing the glowing insects. The disappearance of the insect has also affected the food chain of frogs and birds. Fireflies also act as potential pollinators.
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