CONSERVATION
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Thailand will host the world's first international meeting on fireflies with over 200 firefly experts from 20 countries taking part to discuss the latest findings on the lightning bugs. The International Symposium on Diversity and Conservation of Fireflies will be held at the Botanical Garden Organisation in Chiang Mai from Aug 26-30.
Suyanee Vessbutr, chief of the organisation's technical and research department, said the symposium was a follow-up of a meeting of firefly experts from around the world in Portugal last year.
They agreed to strengthen cooperation and networks of firefly conservationists and the international symposiums would be the first step.
''This perfectly matches the occasion to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's birthday [on Aug 12],'' said Ms Suyanee.
The Queen is a prominent firefly conservationist and she has come up with several projects to preserve their diminishing population, she added.
Many Thai firefly experts will present their studies at the symposium. Among them are renowned scientist Banpot na Pompetch who will talk about a firefly study in Thailand; and Kasetsart University lecturer Anchana Tancharoen who will present her discovery of Luciola aquatilis, a new species of aquatic firefly.
The participants will also go on a study trip to learn about fireflies' habitat in Samut Songkhram province. They will be asked to help come up with ideas for the preservation of fireflies.
The planned visit comes as the province struggles to protect a diminishing firefly population and habitat due to the tourism boom.
Local people have blamed firefly-watching boat operators for disturbing the insects by using loud boat engines.
Firefly-watching cruises also disturb the locals. Some residents have reportedly cut down lamphu trees, where fireflies live, to prevent tourist boats from stopping near their homes.
The Pollution Control Department has advised cruise operators to adjust their engines to reduce the racket.
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