Tune in to learn about one of our favorite signs of summer—fireflies! Dan Young, Professor of Entomology at UW-Madison, will describe the critical role wetlands play for these insects. He’ll start by defining what we mean by “firefly” and providing an overview of this group of Wisconsin fauna. He’ll share a quick overview of bioluminescence throughout the greater tree of life, describe how biological light is produced in fireflies, and discuss the evolution and significance of bioluminescence with respect to the biology and natural history of fireflies. Dr. Young will wind up his presentation with comments relating to an observed general decline in firefly populations in many parts of North America and notes on firefly conservation.
Dr. Dan Young, UW-Madison
Recorded August 8, 2025
Dr. Dan Young has been directly associated with all aspects of entomological research collections since his first curatorial hourly position as a sophomore undergraduate at Michigan State University. In addition to serving as Director of the Wisconsin Insect Research Collection, he is Co-Chair of the UW Natural History Museums Council and serves as liaison between the internationally recognized Entomological Collections Network and Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections. He has visited and conducted taxonomic research in entomological research collections across North America and around the world.
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