Fireflies are a type of beetle that use a chemical reaction to glow.
They can be fun to watch or catch. That is if you can even find them.
So, can you find fireflies in Alberta? If so, where?
Are there fireflies in Alberta?
Yes there are fireflies in Alberta.
In fact, there are at least 7 different species of fireflies in Alberta. Not all firefly species glow.
Where to See Fireflies in Alberta?
There are many different species of firefly. Each species has a different type of habitat that they prefer. It also depends on the life cycle stage such as larvae or adult.
In general, what all fireflies have in common is moisture. They love to be near water.
When it comes to the species of firefly common in Alberta, your best chance to find them is anywhere with a permanent water source such as:
- Streams
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Springs
There have been sightings of fireflies over the years throughout Alberta where you can get away from light pollution.
Some places in Alberta with a high frequency of sightings are around Buffalo Lake and up North of Edmonton. It seems to be less frequent in the South, though they definitely are there.
There are concerns that the firefly populations may be decreasing due to chemical use and light pollution.
When to See Fireflies in Alberta?
The best time of year to see fireflies in Alberta is the Month of June. The best time of day is after it gets dark around 11pm or Midnight, mountain time.
There is about a 2-4 week window of time when adult male and female fireflies will flash at each other. This is a mating ritual.
Generally it is the males that are flying around emitting a particular light pattern. The females do not fly, but may flash in return.
We recommend reading this PDF for this information and more. It is everything you could ever want to know about fireflies.
In Summary
- Yes there are fireflies in Alberta
- Alberta has at least 7 species of firefly.
- You might see them anywhere that has a permanent water source like a lake, stream, river, etc.
- Some popular Alberta sighting areas are any wetlands North of Edmonton, or around the many lakes of Alberta such as Buffalo Lake.
- Alberta’s firefly population may be on the decline due to light pollution and the use of pesticides.
- The best time to see fireflies in Alberta is in June around 11pm or 12am.
