DiasporaPublished: 28 June 2026 at 07:36
Latvia's Most Mythical Insects – Fireflies: What They Are and Why They Glow
In Latvia, fireflies are among the most mythical insects – they glow in the dark but are rarely seen. Entomologist Uģis Piterāns says that spotting a glowing firefly is a real adventure.
In meadows, forest edges, and roadside grass during summer evenings, tiny greenish dots can light up like living lanterns, flickering for a moment and then disappearing into the darkness. These are fireflies – insects that many have heard of but few have actually seen. Entomologist Uģis Piterāns revealed to Latvian Television's program "4. studija" that noticing a glowing firefly is an event and an adventure. The glow of fireflies is a natural phenomenon, making them some of the most mythical insects in Latvia.
