Teen Discovers New Firefly Species in Southern California

A college student has discovered new firefly species, after hiking near the Topanga Canyon in Los Angeles, California last May.

The newly discovered species are yet to be officially named, but Joshua Oliva has chosen to name his first discovery after his mother.

As of today, there are some 2,000 species of fireflies around the world and the chance of finding a new one is very slim. Popular beliefs suggest that fireflies in Southern California are very rare.

"I know the local fauna well enough that within minutes I was able to tell him he had found something entirely new to science. I don't think I've seen a happier student in my life," Doug Yanega, senior museum scientist, who confirmed the discovery said in a press release.

Yanega noted that it is typical for a new species to be kept undiscovered for decades before an expert comes along to recognize it.

Marc Branham, a firefly expert from University of Florida in Gainesville said that there are 18 known species of fireflies in California, fewer than the 56 species from Florida, DTG noted.