Project:

How does proximity to urban infrastructure affect firefly diversity?

Students:

Cara Coseglia, Morgan Crespo, Andy Navetta, Lauren Furer

School:

Wantagh High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Casey Clark

Abstract:

Firefly populations have been on a decline on Long Island for years. It is believed that firefly diversity may be being affected by the suburban towns and the infrastructure, as many other animal populations are. Firefly populations are not the only populations that have been thought to be harmed by suburban architecture. Butterfly population and bee population also show a rapid decline in recent years. However, the firefly population alone has not been as deeply studied as its counterparts. A main contributing factor may be proximity to large highways. Exhaust emissions from cars pollute the environment around the fireflies which may be a cause of their rapid decline.

Poster:

Team samples: