Fw: Firefly project
Sharon Stichter
Hi Arlington Birders, I know this isn't birds, but it seems like
an
interesting and worthwhile project. I hope you'll pass this on to
other
folks that might be interested.
Best, Marj.
Dear friends of
the environment,
I am writing to ask you help.
The Museum of Science
in Boston in joining with researchers from Tufts
University and Fitchburg
State College to learn the status of fireflies
in
Massachusetts.
Fireflies, everyone’s favorite summer insect, have been
disappearing from
much of their range. Or at least it seems that way to
many. Now, a new
citizen science project, hosted by the Museum, hopes to
gather enough data
from across the state to enable firefly researchers
to
get a true picture
of the State’s firefly population and, if they are
disappearing, what are the
causes and what can be done to preserve these
fascinating insects.
The
Firefly Project seeks to enlist people across the state to log on to
the
website to report the occurrence of fireflies in their back yard
throughout
the summer, as well as record information about their
particular habitat. The
goals of this project are twofold. The first is
scientific. The more data
collected by citizen scientists, the more
valuable it is to firefly
researchers. The second is educational. The
site will contain a lot of
information about the natural history of
fireflies as well as environmental
factors within our control that may
affect their populations. When people
learn that lawn fertilizers and
pesticides may be a contributing factor to
the firefly’s disappearance,
they might begin to realize the effect their
actions have on the
environment.
As well as the environmental
message, the site will contain a lot of fun
facts about these fascinating
insects. Such as:
-there are about 20 species of firefly in
Massachusetts
- fireflies use their flash to locate a mate. Each species has
a very
specific flash, both for the male and for the female.
- the males
flash while flying. If the female is interested, she
responds
with a flash
from a perch on the ground or low shrub.
- One type of firefly can imitate
the flash of other females. She does
this to lure in a male which she
promptly devours.
- fireflies produce a toxin in their blood that makes them
unpalatable
to
most predators. - the predatory firefly can not produce
this toxin and
must acquire it
through her prey.
- fireflies can not
see the color blue. Therefore, a flashlight with a
blue filter is ideal for
observing fireflies undisturbed at night.
As with any citizen science
project, its strength is in numbers. The
more
people who participate, the
more valuable the study. So I am asking your
help in spreading the word. If
possible, could you let your constituents
know about this project by either
including a notice in your newsletter
or
on your web site? If you can
help, I have attached two press releases,
one short and one a little longer,
along with a firefly picture. Feel
free to use either of these, as space
allows.
I would like to thank you in advance for your assistance. Please
feel
free to contact me with any questions. And if you are able to
assist,
please drop me a quick note so I have some idea of where people
are
hearing about the Firefly Project.
Thank you
Don
Salvatore
Don Salvatore
Museum of Science
Science Park
Boston,
MA 02114
(617) 589-0347
http://mrines.com/Birds/Arlington/
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