Matsu Islands Glowworm Species Wildlife Refuge

Date Established	May 3, 2022
Area( hectare )	12.990527
Location	A total of 43 pieces of land are located in Beigan Township and Juguang Township, Lienchiang County.
Management ​Agency	Lienchiang County Government

In 2007, Mr. Wang Jianhua, then principal of Dongju Elementary School, first discovered the glowworm in Dongju, Matsu Islands. At that time, he identified it as Rhagophthalmus ohbai  and conducted related ecological research. In 2012, Dr. Ho Jen-zon, Division leader of the Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture , confirmed that the glowworm in the Matsu Islands was a new species. Subsequently, two species of fireflies in the family Rhagophthalmidae were published. To commemorate their special regionality, they were named Rhagophthalmus beigansis  and Rhagophthalmus giallolateralus , based on the place name of the Matsu Islands.

The unique ecological habits of these two species firefly make it a valuable resource for developing nighttime ecotourism in the Matsu Islands. However, from an island biology perspective, the habitat of the firefly is a very fragile ecosystem. Given the limited land area of ​​the Matsu Islands, the development of roads for tourism, the construction of recreational facilities, and the increase in tourist numbers will inevitably have a significant impact on the survival of these 2 species firefly. Therefore, these 2 species firefly could disappear from the world within a few years if not handled carefully.

Annual surveys of the two species firefly in the Matsu Islands show a declining trend in distribution and population size, indicating a threat to their survival. Factors contributing to population decline include road and artificial infrastructure development, habitat fragmentation, light pollution affecting courtship communication, chemical pollution, and natural disasters. Mitochondrial gene sequences show that the genetic diversity of both fireflies is extremely low, which is not conducive to future adaptation and evolution, necessitating immediate conservation. The establishment of protected areas can prevent habitat fragmentation and the harm caused by artificial infrastructure to population size. Therefore, on May 3, 2022, the Matsu Islands Glowworm Species Wildlife Refuge was established.