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Institute warns of firefly threat to regional ecology

The Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI) urged the public yesterday not to release a species of water-hatched fireflies on the east coast, explaining that the insect is not indigenous to that region but rather to the western part of the nation.

ESRI researchers said that with the growing popularity of firefly watching, an increasing number of scenic spots and resort operators have organized such activities.

Some have even introduced non-endemic fireflies and increased the variety of insects in an attempt to extend the observation season and attract tourists.

Some news reports have claimed that water-hatched fireflies -- which live on paddy fields on the western plain -- have been successfully bred on the east coast, which is home to ground-hatched fireflies that lay eggs on or below ground rather than underwater, the researchers said.

The institute said that in 2004, researchers launched a one-year survey on the water-hatched firefly's life cycle and its distribution in the Hualien and Taitung areas.

As part of their study, the researchers conducted 25 field investigations and a series of interviews with local residents.

Through these, the researchers were able to determine that there were no water-hatched fireflies in the eastern Taiwan region.

Although the region has suitable weather, clean wetlands and fields that would be perfect for the reproduction of water-hatched fireflies, it is not their original breeding place, the ESRI specialists said.

The researchers warned that any move to bring the water-hatched fireflies to the east coast would risk compromising the ecological balance in the area.
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