Assessment of microplastics presence on firefly (coleoptera: lampyridae) from Tumpat mangrove, Kelantan.

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastics equal or smaller than 5 mm in size, are an emerging contaminant that can affect both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This study assessed the level of contamination of microplastics on the surface of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) from Tumpat mangrove in Kelantan. There were 89 firefly specimens collected, consisting of 62 larvae and 27 adults. Each specimen were observed closely under a dissecting microscope and confirmed the results through a hot needle test. In total, 35 specimens had microplastic contamination, with 31 of 35 of the contaminated specimens being larvae and only 4 adults with microplastic contamination. The most common microplastic found on the fireflies were transparent strands followed by dark blue and yellow strands. Our results confirm that fireflies are exposed to environmental microplastics and are potential bioindicators of surface-level plastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems. These findings provide a robust baseline and emphasize the need for future studies of insect–microplastic interactions in coastal environment.