Pennsylvania Firefly Festival Records One Of Best Firefly Summers In Many Years

The Pennsylvania Firefly Festival Fall Newsletter announced Western Pennsylvania had one of its best firefly summers in many years.

The unusual nighttime warmth and humidity during late June and all through July resulted in happy fireflies everywhere and they showed it!

Have your own observations?  Send them to: pafireflyfestival@gmail.com. 

Festival Campouts

The Festival hosted three Sold-Out PAFF Campouts at the Kellettville Campground with a total of 120 campers and over 30 volunteers.

Allegheny County Parks Ranger Matthew Golub expertly presented his talk on the fireflies of Pennsylvania. You can watch the full presentation on YouTube. 

Fog!

There was an unusual event that occurred during the 2025 PA Firefly Festival - FOG!  

This was the first time in the thirteen years of the festival that warm humid conditions caused fog as the evening temperature cooled. 

We have always known temperatures below 60 degrees F  could reduce or stop flashing. 

What a surprise it was to discover Fog could cause the same result!

Praying Mantis Or Firefly?

In one corner, we have the praying mantis, the ultimate insect predator. Stealthy, with lightning fast strikes, its excellence at preying on other insects is the result of millions of years of evolution.

In the other corner, we have Photinus pyralis, the common eastern firefly. Tiny in comparison, with cute bulbous eyes, soft body, and decided lack of scary appendages or mouthparts, it doesn’t seem particularly able to take on a defensive against the mighty armored praying mantis.

Read on to see who the winner is….

Impacts of Light Pollution

Some effects of light pollution are not subtle, they are straight-up obvious to everyone. Fireflies cannot find their mates when their nighttime environment is artificially lit. 

Other consequences are more complicated.

Read on to learn more….

PA Wilds Hiking Weekend

The Keystone Trails Association invites outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to experience the breathtaking landscapes and rich conservation history of the PA Wilds during the Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend, October 17-19.

While there won't be lightning bugs in October, we hope you will come to Forest County to learn about fireflies and their habitats in the PA Wilds, so that you will be prepared for next summer.  Click Here to register.

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.  [PDF of Newsletter] 

Click Here to sign up for your own copy.  Click Here for past issues.

Visit the Pennsylvania Firefly Festival website to learn more about available education programs, research and much more.

[Posted: September 3, 2025]  PA Environment Digest