Join the hunt for the Obscured Firefly!

We are looking for the Obscured Firefly (Photinus obscurellus) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in order to understand its response to light pollution. This species is not well-documented in New England. That’s where we need your help! Learn more about our firefly project and its implications for conservation here.

We are looking for volunteers to survey potential sites after sunset. No experience required! The map below shows our regions of interest. Sign up to conduct firefly expeditions at sites in urban Boston, Worcester, and Providence (white circles) or their rural surrounds (black circles).

Sign up to become a firefly hunter!

If you’ve spotted an Obscured Firefly, we want to hear about it! Please send an email to owenslabfirefly@gmail.com with “firefly sighting” in the subject line. Include the following, if possible:

✦ Date and time of sighting

✦ Location of sighting

✦ Description of habitat

✦ Description of flash behavior

✦ Video of its flash behavior, if possible

✦ Photo of it in your hand, if possible