Insects act in coordination with natural light regimes and are sensitive to changes in light intensity, wavelengths, sources and other factors.
Nocturnal insects perform various activities such as foraging, reacting to predators, or navigating using the stars and moon. For insects of the family Lampyridae, commonly known as fireflies, low light is needed for reproduction.
The month of June is considered the best time to spot these bioluminescent creatures, as it is an important breeding season. Maharashtra hosts firefly festivals in May and June, which are celebrated by the local communities and wildlife enthusiasts as well as photographers from different parts of the country. However, this congregation of Lampyridae is affected by the increasing urban lights, impacting their numbers.
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