The blinking lights of the fireflies of the Lampyridae family were once common sights near marshes and lakes in Korea, but today they are all but extinct as their habitats disappear in the face of development and rampant environmental pollution. In order to survive, firefly larvae need fresh water in which they can find the marsh snails and other life forms they feed on.
Korea is home to two kinds of fireflies: luciola lateralis Motschulsky and pyrocoelia ruffa Olivier. The former are usually found from June to July, and the latter from August to September. At the moment, fireflies are only found along streams in Irwon Village, Solch'on-myon, Muju County, North Cholla Province. Their habitat has been designated Natural Monument No. 322.