Why Fireflies Are Lighting Up NYC This Summer Like Never Before
Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash
Context
If you’ve noticed a little more magic in the air this summer — blinking through the trees in Prospect Park, hovering over gardens in Astoria, or flickering in dark corners of Riverside Park — you’re not imagining things. Fireflies have made a noticeable comeback in New York City this season, and it turns out our moody spring weather is to thank.
While New Yorkers grumbled through a rainy, gray May — with precipitation falling on 18 out of 31 days — fireflies were thriving. These glowing insects, officially part of the elateroid beetle family, flourish in damp, warm environments. With NYC recently reclassified as a humid subtropical climate zone by the U.S. National Climate Assessment, conditions are becoming increasingly ideal for these twilight charmers.
“They need to have moist, wet environments,” explained Dr. Jessica Ware to the NY Post. Dr. Ware is an entomologist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History. “They do really well when there’s a lot of rainfall.” That rain doesn't just help adult fireflies — it's essential for their entire life cycle. Juvenile fireflies develop underground in soft, wet soil, and the recent surge in rain has given them the perfect habitat to grow and emerge.
While the uptick in rainfall may be a symptom of climate change, it also offers a window into nature’s remarkable ability to adapt. Ecosystems are not static — they evolve in response to changing conditions. In New York City, we’re seeing that play out in real time: unexpected insects emerging, plant life responding to higher humidity, and urban wildlife adjusting their behaviors to match new patterns. These shifts remind us that while climate change poses serious challenges, it also triggers complex, sometimes beautiful adaptations that reflect the resilience and dynamism of the natural world.
Not Just Fireflies
Adding to the firefly emergence are the snails and slugs that also thrive in rainy weather — exactly the kind of prey juvenile lightning bugs love to snack on. After their subterranean feasting, they burrow in and eventually emerge, wings glowing, into New York’s muggy summer nights.
Additionally, the rain helps to replenish NYC’s depleted groundwater. New York City issued a citywide drought watch on Nov. 2nd, 2024 after a historic lack of precipitation, ordering city agencies to update water conservation plans and prepare to implement them, and urging the public to help conserve water. The frequent summer rains New Yorkers have been experiencing offer some relief from concerns about drought and groundwater depletion. Just as important, however, is ensuring that this rainfall is effectively captured and retained by the city’s infrastructure — so that the benefits of these downpours aren’t simply washed away.
So while the endless downpours might have canceled your rooftop plans and flooded your commute, they’ve also turned New York into a rare urban stage for one of nature’s most delicate light shows. This summer, look up from your screen and take a stroll through a leafy corner of the city — the fireflies are putting on a show, and for once, New York is glowing a little softer.
