Lights out? Experts fear fireflies are dwindling

By MICHAEL CASEY , AP Environmental Writer, General Science / Biology

A Thailand fire fly, "Luciola Laporte" is shown with its enlarged image seen in background, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. Thailand is hosting the world's first international firefly symposium and expects to attract more than 100 experts from around the world. There are 55 known species of fire flies in Thailand. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

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(AP) -- Preecha Jiabyu used to take tourists on a rowboat to see the banks of the Mae Klong River aglow with thousands of fireflies. These days, all he sees are the fluorescent lights of hotels, restaurants and highway overpasses. He says he'd have to row a good two miles to see trees lit up with the magical creatures of his younger days.

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