In October, Monash University master’s student Tan Wei Jack was doing a routine specimen examination of a firefly sample discovered in the dense forests of Bukit Kiara, Malaysia.
Then he did a double-take.
“I was examining some previously collected specimens under the microscope and noticed something strange, a feature that didn’t match what I’d just learned about Colophotia fireflies the day before,” Tan told Monash University in early June. “This was the moment I knew that something was different.”
Tan soon realized that he was looking at a Pteroptyx gombakia, or a Gombak bent-winged firefly. The discovery marked the first time that the species had been identified in 90 years — and the first live sighting of the species, ever.
“Everyone was so supportive. I’m really grateful for that,” said Tan, who studies under the tutelage of Dr. Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh — a leading firefly expert and conservationist.
“There’s still so much to learn, especially about Pteroptyx gombakia,” Tan continued. “The next step is to study its ecology and figure out what it’s doing in a place like Bukit Kiara.”
Jusoh verified her student’s discovery, saying that the characteristic difference was small but remarkably distinct.
“The difference was spotted in the firefly’s light-producing organ called the ‘lantern,’ which is located in the insect’s abdomen,” Jusoh said.
“Indeed, it is truly magical we have this rare group of fireflies living in the heart of our city.”
Tan said that the fieldwork that his honors degree requires has been fully immersive — and incredibly arduous.
“The physical fatigue from hiking and the mental fatigue from constantly being on the lookout for a flash of light, all while being in near total darkness, gradually took its toll,” Tan explained.
“I have come to learn that recognizing your body’s limits and taking appropriate breaks is essential for the long run.”
But his studies have also provided a valuable lesson — one that mirrors the Gombak bent-winged firefly’s return.
“It’s a reminder that even when things seem lost, they can still find their way back,” Tan said.
In October 2023 — a year before Tan’s once-in-a-century discovery — his mentor gave a TED Talk at TED Women in Atlanta, Georgia, on the importance of fireflies — also known as “kelip-kelip.”
“[They’re] so much more than pretty lights … they are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem,” said Jusoh, who spent her summers surrounded by fireflies on the coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
“The lifecycle of fireflies keeps the ecosystem balanced. Each firefly, in each indicative life stage, has specific needs for habitat to thrive.”
She also pointed out that fireflies are an “indicator species.”
“In a mangrove forest, when you see a population of fireflies decreasing, that could be due to water quality degradation, which can be a sign of a collapsing food chain,” Jusoh said. “Why? Because firefly larvae eat snails, and snails need good water quality to thrive.”
Jusoh said that climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use have ushered in the global decline of fireflies.
Fortunately, there are several eco-friendly measures anyone can take, no matter where they are in the world.
Steps include opting for non-chemical pest management, planting native trees and grasses, and reducing excessive use of artificial lights, which disorient fireflies and actively lessen reproduction rates.
Even in regions where fireflies do not live, these three measures can help countless “backyard” wildlife species, including frogs, bees, owls, bats, and more.
Today, Tan and Jusoh continue their firefly studies and conservation through Friends of Bukit Kiara, a nonprofit that leads environmental efforts throughout the forested region.
“Wildlife and conservation are fields which require a lot of passion,” Tan said, offering encouragement to aspiring scientists. “If you have enough passion, that passion will light the path ahead of you towards the future.”
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Header image via Nicholas HL Tan / Monash University Malaysia
