Pop Japan

Fireflies used to be abundant all over the world. But due to the increasing pollution and threats to their natural habitats, fireflies have retreated to the forests and mountains where they will be undisturbed.

During the mating season, it is the males who flash the light, for the species that dwell in North America. But it is the other way around in Japan. For the Asian fireflies, the specie found in Japan, the female insects are the ones who flash the light.

In Japan, fireflies are associated to the spirit ball "hitodama" which is said to be the spirit of the recently deceased.

Summer is the best season to view fireflies or the hotaru.

Photo by @yb_woodstock さん http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellow_bird_woodstock/. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en)

Tags: Animals, Fireflies, Hotaru, Japan, Hitodama, Hotaru in Summer, Pollution, Distraction of their Habitat, Forest, Mountains, others