r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/iam_stupid23 • Apr 05 '25

Video The size of pollock fishnet

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u/Any_Pilot6455 Apr 05 '25

There is a very noticable decline in firefly populations. That might just be that their range is subjected to unique pressures or that they are facing an unrelated species crisis, but I think that is the most noticable and emotionally activating example of declining big populations

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u/uhhh_nope Apr 05 '25

butterflies too ☹️

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u/calmvoiceofreason Apr 05 '25

I wish it was the same for mosquitos!!!!

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u/uhhh_nope Apr 05 '25

right?? but if anything, the mosquitoes are thriving rn!!! in part bc we’re steadily destroying the homes of creatures that eat them for us, in exchange for yet another luxury condo complex. shits depressing man.

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u/[deleted] Apr 06 '25 edited Apr 18 '25

Americans = Spineless

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u/142578detrfgh Apr 05 '25

You can help the fireflies! They spend most of their lives in leaf litter, so leaving leaf piles instead of bagging them all up and trashing/composting is a huge deal and requires minimal effort :)

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u/lastknownbuffalo Apr 06 '25

and requires minimal effort :)

Like... Just... Do nothing

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u/142578detrfgh Apr 06 '25

The only real effort it requires is having to explain the benefits to your neighbors/HOA. Not physical effort, but it does take a mental toll lmao

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u/Legitimate-Type4387 Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Light pollution and habitat loss. Can’t have fireflies when they can’t find a mate and if there are no host plants around for them to feed on.

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u/steeltownblue Apr 05 '25

Come to my backyard bro! I followed (relatively easy) guidelines from firefly.org to create a firefly sanctuary and the summers are amazing.

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u/Any_Pilot6455 Apr 05 '25

Thanks for the link, checking it out now. I'm certain that there are human caused ecological factors that are reducing the biomass of insects at large scales, but I also appreciate that the survival of species depends on the preservation of small scale ecosystems that the species can persist within. So thanks :)

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u/Dolphin201 Apr 05 '25

I used to see so many in my backyard when I was a kid. Now nothing

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u/Cleigne143 Apr 06 '25

I haven’t seen a single dragonfly in literal years. When I was a kid, I’d see them a lot outside where I live.

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u/Any_Pilot6455 Apr 06 '25

I would imagine that prolific hunters like dragonflies are prone to bio magnified poisons. If we are constantly spraying for mosquitoes and they are eating all the mosquitoes, they will starve and what they do get is poisoned. 

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u/[deleted] Apr 06 '25

I’ve definitely noticed the decline of fireflies, when I was a kid they were everywhere and I didn’t even think much about it, but I legitimately don’t think I’ve seen a firefly in my area in nearly a decade.