8/13/2023 0 Comments Synchronized lightning bugs![]() It’s been hard to know what to do for a long time running. It’s hard to know what to do, know what I mean?” “People aren’t wearing masks here like they are in Michigan. ![]() The woman, visiting from Michigan, empathizes. I explain to the woman that I’d dipped down to the river for a brief respite from the crowd. But, even with these limitations, the annual gathering isn’t a small one. ![]() Years ago, the National Park Service instituted a lottery for people to secure passes, since the species’ growing popularity raised concerns about conservation. The firefly event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles this section of Tennessee and my home state of North Carolina, draws seekers from across the continent. Given that the synchronous fireflies of Elkmont are some of the most famous fireflies in the world - and that I live in their home region of southern Appalachia - coming across the study during lockdown made me think it was past time to see these brilliant creatures.Ī synchronous firefly in western North Carolina. Researchers found that, globally, 1 million people travel to witness firefly-related phenomena every year. This year, Tufts University released the first-ever comprehensive study of firefly tourism. Remnants of the former human settlement - some of which has been lost to the elements - are visible everywhere, scattered among river-rounded stones and beds of fern. To reach a trailhead in an area of the park known as Elkmont, we - along with hundreds of other visitors here to witness the synchronous fireflies’ light show, which generally occurs in a two-week period around early June - had to walk through an avenue of mountain cabins, abandoned after the park was formed. And there’s a chimney nearby, but no house. The woman is sitting on a porch stoop, but there’s no porch. “I can count on one hand the times I’ve been left speechless by an event or occurrence in nature, and seeing the synchronous fireflies for the first time on Grandfather Mountain was one of them,” Caveny added.įor more information on Grandfather Mountain’s synchronous fireflies, go to /fireflies.It does feel like we’ve traveled through a portal to another realm. One group of males will emit a flashing pattern as they try to find receptive females, and the females will respond by replicating that flashing pattern, which creates the synchronous effect.” The males are flying around, and the females are in the grass. “There is a call and response going on between the males and females of the species. “The light show that the synchronous fireflies put on is actually a mating ritual,” Caveny said. “One of the reasons this species has gone undetected for so long at Grandfather is that there are not a lot of people in the park at night,” explained John Caveny, director of education and natural resources at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, which operates the preserve. He was later able to confirm that the illuminating insects were, in fact, the rare synchronous firefly. In 2019, a professor from North Carolina State University came across the fireflies during a late-night walk through the woods during a stay on the mountain. However, it was only recently discovered that a rare species of firefly, known as Photinus carolinus, inhabited the mountain. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and to be prepared for the varied mountain’s weather and conditions.Īs a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve, the nature preserve in Linville, North Carolina, has long been known as a haven for more than 70 rare or endangered species. Naturalists will be around during the event to answer questions and lead programs on fireflies, basic astronomy and the other night creatures at Grandfather Mountain. The event lasts from 7 to 11 p.m.Įducational programs will be provided by the park’s naturalists from 7 p.m. For Bridge Club members, adult tickets are $51 and children’s tickets are $29. The cost for adults is $60 and $35 for children. Only 200 tickets will be available for each nighttime viewing event.
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