Fireflies light up Yunnan's night sky

From now through mid-July, the fireflies at the Xiaowazi Coffee Manor in Pu'er, Yunnan province, are at their peak viewing season.

On summer nights, countless fireflies flit through the leaves, glide over the grass, and shimmer along the water's edge, casting a myriad of lights, as though the stars themselves have fallen to earth.

Fireflies thrive in warm, humid environments free from light pollution. They go through four life stages — egg, larva, pupa, and adult. They spend around 10 months as larvae, with their adult life typically lasting only 7 to 20 days, according to He He, an expert at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The insects serve as an indicator species for environmental health. When they appear in large numbers, it often signifies a thriving ecosystem.