In the gardens and agricultural plots of the Pyrénées-Orientales, a funny green-yellow light can be observed.
This is the South American firefly.
This insect is considered "fierce" by scientists because it attacks earthworms in particular, explains Midi Libre.
It was observed for the first time in France in 2020 and more precisely in the village of Maureillas-las-Illas (Pyrénées-Orientales).
The department invaded by 2025
Its evolution is closely followed by French, Belgian and Spanish scientists.
According to their estimates, the fireflies progress by about ten kilometers per year and could therefore invade the department in just five years.
“The cartography drawn up is undoubtedly only a large under-estimate of the current distribution”, specified one of the experts to our colleagues.
The proliferation of insects could actually be much worse because it is possible that they are transported by accident by men in a car, on a flowerpot...
Since the beginning of June, scientists have once again been present in the Pyrénées-Orientales to refine their expertise.
They capture the fireflies, mark them and then release them.
They will then be able to track them and better understand their proliferation.
Residents can also report them directly on a website or by email to temoignages-ovl.france@gmail.com.
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