Fireflies by State 2026

Fireflies Sightings Frequency (2018-2022)

Average

Extremely Rare

Frequent

None

Rare

State	Fireflies Sightings Frequency (2018-2022)↓	Number of Species Reported
Alabama	Frequent	33-53
Connecticut	Frequent	16-20
Delaware	Frequent	21-26
District of Columbia	Frequent	27-32
Florida	Frequent	33-53
Georgia	Frequent	33-53
Illinois	Frequent	27-32
Louisiana	Frequent	1-9
Maine	Frequent	10-15
Maryland	Frequent	27-32
Massachusetts	Frequent	16-20
New Hampshire	Frequent	10-15
New Jersey	Frequent	21-26
New York	Frequent	33-53
Pennsylvania	Frequent	27-32
Rhode Island	Frequent	10-15
Texas	Frequent	33-53
Arkansas	Average	10-15
Indiana	Average	21-26
Kentucky	Average	16-20
Michigan	Average	16-20
Minnesota	Average	10-15
Mississippi	Average	21-26
Missouri	Average	21-26
North Carolina	Average	27-32
Ohio	Average	16-20
South Carolina	Average	27-32
Tennessee	Average	27-32
Vermont	Average	1-9
West Virginia	Average	10-15
Wisconsin	Average	10-15
Arizona	Rare	21-26
California	Rare	16-20
Colorado	Rare	1-9
Idaho	Rare	1-9
Iowa	Rare	1-9
Kansas	Rare	10-15
Montana	Rare	1-9
Nebraska	Rare	1-9
Nevada	Rare	1-9
New Mexico	Rare	1-9
North Dakota	Rare	1-9
Oklahoma	Rare	16-20
South Dakota	Rare	10-15
Utah	Rare	1-9
Virginia	Rare	21-26
Wyoming	Rare	1-9
Alaska	Extremely Rare	1-9
Oregon	Extremely Rare	1-9
Washington	Extremely Rare	1-9
Hawaii	None

According to the Brandywine Conservancy, fireflies are technically found in every state except Hawaii. However, concentrations vary greatly by region. Fireflies are prolific in many of the eastern and southern states, sparse in states such as Kansas and Nebraska, and so rare as to be effectively absent from much of the west, despite occasional sightings in states such as Colorado and Idaho.
Even in states in which fireflies are common, sightings may be rare in environments that lack adequate moisture and/or vegetation.

Firefly A bioluminescent beetle from the Lampyridae family that produces light through a chemical reaction in its abdomen, commonly seen on warm summer nights.

Fireflies in the United States

Fireflies are found across much of the United States, but their visibility varies widely by region. Climate, humidity, vegetation, and seasonal conditions all influence where these glowing insects are most commonly observed.

In general, fireflies are most frequently seen in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, where warm and humid environments support larger populations. In drier western states, sightings tend to be less common, and in some places they are extremely rare or absent altogether.

States With Frequent Firefly Sightings

Fireflies are commonly observed in several eastern and southern states, where warm temperatures and humid environments create favorable conditions for these insects. These regions also tend to support a higher number of firefly species.

States with frequent firefly sightings include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.

States With Average Firefly Sightings

In some states, fireflies are observed regularly but not as consistently as in regions with the highest activity. Sightings in these areas often depend on seasonal conditions, habitat availability, and local climate patterns.

States with average firefly sightings include Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

States With Rare Firefly Sightings

In several states, firefly sightings are relatively uncommon. These areas often have drier climates, higher elevations, or environmental conditions that are less favorable for sustaining large firefly populations.

States with rare firefly sightings include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

States With Extremely Rare Firefly Sightings

In a few states, firefly sightings are extremely uncommon. These regions generally have cooler climates or environmental conditions that are less suitable for sustaining stable firefly populations.

States with extremely rare firefly sightings include Alaska, Oregon, and Washington.