Quck answer
Every year in late May and early June, synchronous fireflies put on a stunning light show in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These special fireflies are the only species in America that can synchronize their flashing light patterns. Visitors can witness this natural phenomenon during the annual Elkmont Firefly Event, which requires a lottery-based ticketing system to manage the high demand. The event includes shuttle service to the viewing area and strict guidelines to protect the fireflies and their habitat. Witnessing the synchronous fireflies is a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers and families alike.
Wild Animals
Photinus carolinus, the only firefly species in North America that can synchronize their flashing, can be found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Floris Van Breugel/Nature Picture Library/Getty Images
The reason behind the flashing of fireflies is quite simple. It is actually the same reason why males of many species try to show off. It is a way of attracting a mate and a subtle form of flirting.
However, what is not yet clear is how a few flashes of light in the middle of a crowded forest or a suburban backyard eventually lead to a nocturnal hookup. It is also not yet fully understood how a female firefly, who is often found on the ground, in the bushes, or in a tree, leads her blinking mate to their eventual love nest.
Moreover, scientists are still trying to figure out how some species of fireflies can synchronize their flashing, which happens every summer in places like the Great Smoky Mountains. Hundreds or even thousands of fireflies light up simultaneously in the same pattern, creating a massive choreographed flirt.
“It’s a pretty magical experience,” said Jamie Sanders, a park ranger for the National Park Service, when we spoke to her in 2017.
Every year, for a couple of weeks in late May or early June, the park sponsors viewings of a certain species of synchronous firefly called Photinus carolinus. It is one of the 19 species of fireflies in the park, but the only one in North America that can synchronize their flashing.
The viewings are highly sought after. In 2021, a total of 24,401 households from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and three countries (Australia, Canada, and Great Britain) applied for a vehicle pass, according to the park spokesperson Dana Soehn.
As per the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service website, the firefly viewing dates for 2023 will be announced on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. The lottery for vehicle passes will open on April 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. and close on May 1, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. All lottery applicants will be notified about whether their application was successful or unsuccessful on May 11, 2023. Kindly visit the website for further information.
Fireflies surround the lucky residents of a tent pitched in the Great Smokies.
Floris Van Breugel/Nature Picture Library/Getty Images
It’s Showtime as Night Falls!
The fortunate visitors park their RVs and minivans near a campground, hop onto a shuttle, and then walk on a path deep into the woods. As night falls, they are advised to cover their flashlights with red or blue cellophane and point them towards the ground. Fireflies rely on light to find their mate, and therefore, they do not need humans with flashlights disturbing their business. When it’s time, it’s lights off for everyone except the stars of the show.
Some years are better than others, depending on various factors, such as the phase of the moon (which affects the light), the weather, and moisture. Firefly larvae live in the ground for one to two years, so moisture plays a significant role. According to Sanders, there was a drought in much of the Great Smoky Mountains last fall, so this year’s show was not as impressive as those in previous years.
However, when the fireflies start flashing and Photinus carolinus begins its timed blink-blink-blink, visitors are treated to a sight that can only be seen in a few places in the world.
Andy Moiseff, a professor at the University of Connecticut who studies the neural mechanisms of fireflies’ flashing, described the abundance of fireflies in their natural habitat. The reason for the lack of synchronicity when watching fireflies is due to other species who don’t have their rhythm synchronized or because the P. carolinus members aren’t in sync yet. However, eventually, they get into a groove and start flashing in patterns, which shows the female fireflies who is available and prompts them to flash their own response, attracting the males. The process of how the males synchronize their flashing is still unknown, but Moiseff likened it to a group of people walking down a street. The ending of the show is also just as magical, as the fireflies all shut off at the same time. Although synchronous fireflies are rare, fireflies themselves are not, with over 2,000 species worldwide. Fireflies are mostly carnivorous, with larvae feeding on snails and worms, and some adult fireflies feeding on other species.
FAQ
1. What are synchronous fireflies?
Synchronous fireflies are a species of fireflies that are known for their unique ability to synchronize their flashing light patterns. They are only found in a few places around the world, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina.
2. When can I see the synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains?
The synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains typically put on their light show in late May to early June. However, the exact dates can vary from year to year, depending on the weather and other environmental factors.
3. Do I need a special permit to see the synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains?
No, you do not need a special permit to see the synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains. However, you will need to reserve a spot on one of the park’s shuttle buses to get to the viewing area.
4. How do the synchronous fireflies synchronize their flashing?
The exact mechanism behind the synchronous flashing of the fireflies is still not fully understood. However, it is believed to be a result of the males flashing in response to the flashing pattern of nearby females, as well as other environmental cues.
5. What should I bring to see the synchronous fireflies?
You should bring comfortable shoes, insect repellent, and warm clothing, as the viewing area can get chilly at night. You may also want to bring a flashlight for the walk back to the shuttle bus.
6. Can I take photos of the synchronous fireflies?
Yes, you can take photos of the synchronous fireflies, but you will need to use a camera that is capable of taking long exposure shots. Flash photography is not allowed, as it can disrupt the fireflies’ flashing patterns.
7. How long does the synchronous firefly light show last?
The synchronous firefly light show typically lasts for about two to three weeks, depending on the weather and other environmental factors. The peak viewing time is usually only a few nights.
8. Is it safe to go see the synchronous fireflies?
Yes, it is safe to go see the synchronous fireflies in the Smoky Mountains. However, you should be aware that the viewing area is in a remote location, and there are no facilities or services available once you are there.
9. Can I hear the synchronous fireflies?
No, you cannot hear the synchronous fireflies, as they do not make any sound. Their flashing is their only means of communication.
10. Why are synchronous fireflies only found in a few places around the world?
Synchronous fireflies are only found in a few places around the world because they are highly specialized and require specific environmental conditions to survive. In addition, their habitats are often threatened by human development and other factors.
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