Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 37 mins ago
Bali project combines firefly breeding with organic farming
Fireflies have nearly disappeared from a village in Bali, where development, artificial light, damaged habitats and pesticides have taken a toll.
In 2020, local farmer Wayan Wardika started Bring Back the Light, Indonesia’s only firefly conservation program, on his family farm in Taro.
Scientists raise fireflies in habitats designed to resemble natural wetlands and jungle, then release about 90% of the adults; the project has released nearly 20,000 larvae and adults.
Fireflies are not only part of local culture: they pollinate plants, eat crop-damaging snails and can indicate the health of an ecosystem.
Wardika is also promoting organic farming because breeding alone cannot protect fireflies without healthy habitats.
The project offers free organic fertilizer and pesticide alternatives and compensates farmers for transition losses; four of 35 neighboring farmers have adopted the system so far.
Wardika aims to restore the wider ecosystem while helping more farmers move away from chemical pesticides.
Wayan Wardika founded Bring Back the Light in 2020 to conserve fireflies on his family farm in Taro, Bali.
The project combines captive breeding and releases with efforts to restore habitats through organic farming.
It has released nearly 20,000 firefly larvae and adults, and local firefly counts have gradually recovered.
Wardika is working to help 35 neighboring farmers switch to chemical-free agriculture.
Four local farmers have adopted the system so far.
- Who
- Wayan Wardika and the Bring Back the Light conservation program, with lead scientist Cindy Chayani.
- What
- The project breeds and releases fireflies while promoting organic farming to improve their habitat.
- When
- Founded in 2020.
- Where
- Taro, Bali, Indonesia.
- Why
- Fireflies have virtually disappeared locally amid land development, light pollution, habitat degradation and pesticide use.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Wardika founded Bring Back the Light on his family farm in Taro.
The program released nearly 20,000 firefly larvae and adults, and local counts gradually recovered.
Wardika began working to transition 35 neighboring farmers to chemical-free agriculture.
- Project
- Bring Back the Light
- Founded
- 2020
- Location
- Taro, Bali, Indonesia
- Fireflies released
- Nearly 20,000 larvae and adults
- Farmers targeted
- 35 neighboring farmers
- Farmers adopted
- Four local farmers
What people are saying
We designed their mating terrariums to mimic their natural habitat
If we don’t see fireflies, there is something wrong with the ecosystem
We maintain the sustainability of nature, not just for our generation, bur for our future generation.
In the past, who took care of the fireflies? No one! But now they are considered important!