Photo: L. Weikel
Lightning Beauty
I know lightning bugs are just coming into ‘season.’ Just last weekend while sitting outside on a friend’s lawn I noticed a couple shyly blinking in the nearby woods. They must have been hearty souls, though, for I think they were quite lonely. The rest of their kin were still staying warm wherever fireflies like to cuddle.
When I was at Amadell in North Carolina two weeks ago, fireflies were just starting to rise up from the grasses. Our hosts excitedly regaled us with stories of synchronous fireflies, a phenomenon in which thousands of lightning bugs gather in swarms and flash – you guessed it – in synchrony. It sounds utterly magical; sort of like a natural form of a fireworks grand finale.
Making this spectacle even more unique as a prized experience, the bugs only offer this performance for about one to two weeks each late spring/early summer. The Smoky Mountains National Park actually has an annual lottery for tickets to view this amazing phenomenon.
Listening Retreat – June 2020
Since I’m pretty sure the fireflies aren’t aware of where the National Park boundaries are located, I’m thinking this could be an excellent reason for me to offer a Listening Retreat at Amadell next year during the first week in June! Anyone want to join me?
It just so happens that in 2012, this particular type of lightning bug that engages in this synchronous behavior was discovered in western Pennsylvania! If you might find it a little easier to make a road trip to Allegheny National Forest, you should check out this link.
Today’s Catalyst
You might be wondering what prompted me to write about this tonight. It’s the appearance of the handsome fella whose photo is both above and below.
While I was sitting on our porch this morning having coffee with Karl and picking our cards, I noticed this guy walking on an end table. I recognized his distinctive coloring immediately and knew, from memories of many a collection in a mason jar with holes poked into the top with a screwdriver, that he was a lightning bug.
When I grabbed my phone and took his photo, I was taken by his gorgeous coloring and knew in an instant I’d be sharing this with you. This creature is too beautiful to be ignored.
I’m sure this will not be the last post I write about lightning bugs. When it gets a little warmer here in Pennsylvania, they will put on a show that rivals many a Christmas light village extravaganza. And I know I’ll write about them again because of how much I love them.
But before I do, I hope you will appreciate their beauty even without abdomens that flash seductively – and occasionally synchronously – in the summer air.
Lightning Bug – Photo: L. Weikel
(T-908)
PA’s state insect. Different species use different lighting patterns to communicate with each other. You don’t have to wait for festivals, often our State Parks (DCNR) and other Environmental Education centers have “Firefly” programs for the public, most often in July. Yes, interesting creatures.
Certainly don’t need to wait for a festival! Our yard and back yard (especially) provide pyrotechnic-quality displays for at least a month during the summer.
But the synchronous fireflies only “do their thing” for one to two weeks.