Fireflies nowadays seem to have faded away, existing only in memories or movies.

Fu Xinhua, a professor at the College of Plant Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University, is one of the few scholars in China dedicated to the research and conservation of fireflies.

Recently, he and his team published their findings on the molecular mechanisms behind the development and regulation of the adult firefly's light organ in the international academic journal Nature Communications, drawing the attention of the scholars in this field.

Their findings unveiled the mechanisms behind the rapid development of the firefly's light organ in the seven-day pupal stage.

Fu Xinhua observes a firefly specimen in a laboratory.

The story of Fu's involvement with fireflies began in 2000. As a master's student, he accidentally discovered a firefly larva in the campus grass. The wondrous faint glow sparked his intense curiosity, steering his research towards fireflies.

During his more than 20 years of field research, he collected tens of thousands of firefly specimens, including the Aquatica leii, Pygoluciola qingyu and Emeia pseudosauteri, which are unique to China and were named by him.

Field expeditions are arduous, sometimes even life-threatening. Once, he accidentally fell into a deep pool but fortunately was rescued in time. Each time he discovered glowing fireflies in dense forests and grasslands, and he felt that his perseverance was worthwhile.

The flickering of fireflies on summer nights is a beautiful sight to behold, and through technological breakthroughs, Fu achieved large-scale breeding of fireflies in winter. His efficient factory-scale firefly breeding technology allows for more than two generations of fireflies to be bred annually, achieving off-season breeding and providing a solid foundation for firefly conservation and ecological restoration.

Fu's team also provides assistance to and collaborates with various regions to establish firefly reserves, hoping to bring the nocturnal bugs back into people's view.

Fireflies are recognized as an indicator species of the ecological environment, so more and more people are paying attention to them.

Fu aims to publicize firefly conservation through his books such as A Firefly's Journey and The Faint Light of Home. "Protecting fireflies is protecting our ecological environment," he stressed.