A dazzling fairy giving off supernova-like light: the amber comet firefly

Perhaps the most awe-inspiring of over 2,000 species is the amber comet, thought to only remain in Texas and MexicoMore amazing nominations for invertebrate of the yearIf invertebrates are mostly unheralded workers that keep life on Earth ticking over, then fireflies are the rare flamboyant stars that help make that life worth living. They are Elton John in platform shoes and outlandish glasses at his piano, they are Sabrina Carpenter in a glamorous dress as she drops her towel on stage.Much like a Hollywood starlet who lounges around all day in a dressing gown eating crisps only to emerge later in stunning fashion on the red carpet, fireflies are creatures of the night, where their spectacular light shows both enchant and confound us.Between 24 March and 2 April, we will be profiling a shortlist of 10 of the invertebrates chosen by readers and selected by our wildlife writers from more than 2,500 nominations. The voting for our 2025 invertebrate of the year will run from midday on Wednesday 2 April until midday on Friday 4 April, and the winner will be announced on Monday 7 April. Continue reading...