Article: The fireflies' dying dance

The match has been struck, and the fireflies are lit.

They seemed to have first appeared at the noisy conclusion of the Fourth of July, mistaken by some as the fading sparks of a celebration: the glowing ash from the tip of an aromatic punk, a windblown speck from the fire eater's torch.

Fireflies leave a trail of golden dust in their nocturnal mating dance, more valuable than the gold treasures of Tutankhamen. Remarkable little creatures, who up close wear a dusty black suit outlined in orange and slight antennae on their heads.

Entomologists say that the firefly's appearance is fading as the battle with insecticides increases. What's more, the fireflies are dotting the night a bit ...

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