The synchronized firefly show in great smoky mountains national park is a must see event and well worth the trip. Sightings of fireflies, or lightning bugs, in pennsylvania. A new choice is molly branch on private property in east knox county, tn. Details about the synchronous elkmont fireflies event in. Best time to see synchronous fireflies in tennessee 2020 rove. Fireflies, or lightning bugs, can be found all over the eastern parts of. Fireflies, lightning bugs whatever name you might know the little tailshiners by have started to appear in backyards across pennsylvania. Since 1993, this peak date has occurred between the third week of may to the third week of june. Smoky mountains synchronous fireflies inside gatlinburg tn. Fireflies in the great smoky mountains light up at oncehere.
The mating season for the synchronous fireflies takes place over a two week. Most people dont care for most insects but there is one bug that might be considered beloved. Yes, a lightning bug, or as we call it in tennessee, a fire fly, is a beetle, like a lady bug, which is also a beetle. The great smoky mountains national park recently announced the viewing dates for 2017s weeklong firefly season, where thousands of fireflies. Learn about natural ways of controlling insects and weeds. Many people refer to them as lightning bugs or lighting bugs, but the photinus carolinus is an amazing synchronous firefly that finds its way to a. They are softbodied beetles that are commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national.
Synchronous fireflies in tennessee best season 2020. The male lightning bugs use their flashing pattern to attract females during the mating season. All visitors hoping to view the fireflies during these dates must have a parking pass distributed by the annual lottery. Every year between may and june for about two weeks, they put on their mating display in the darkness of the forest in the elkmont area. Blue ghost, synchronous fireflies, mating season big.
Synchronous fireflies elkmont 2020 smoky mountains video. Adult fireflies only live two to three weeks and dont eat any more meals once they are an adult. Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus flashing light during their mating season at great smoky mountains national park. Jun, 2017 find out when and where to see the world famous synchronous fireflies in gatlinburg, tn.
Synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are one of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in great smoky mountains national park. Great smoky mountains synchronous fireflies the smoky. So in years when summerlike weather arrives before june does, fireflies tend to appear in lawns, gardens, and trees earlier than usualsometimes as early as late spring. Apr 26, 2018 for about two weeks each year, elkmont in great smoky mountains national park becomes the site of the most magnificent synchronized firefly also called lightning bug gathering in the world. All the warmth from early summers and mild winters fools lightning bugs into thinking its later in the season than it really is, and so they emerge sooner. Come nightfall, tens of thousands of lightning bugs synchronize their lights and flash in unison. Its no wonder thousands of tourists camp out each year to witness the spectacle of natures nightlife. Feb 21, 2020 synchronous fireflies photinus carolinus are probably the favourite of the 19 firefly species of the great smoky mountains national park. May 22, 2009 the lightning bugs can be best seen on the side of the mountain or the flat area below by the trail away from the river and the fireflies will work their way down as the night progresses. They are the only species in america whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns. The tensofthousands of lightning bugs gather in swarms and flash in harmony as the entire forest alternates between light and darkness.
A corryton man is opening his property for the public to get an upclose view of the snappy sync species of synchronous lightning bugs. There are a total of 909 tennessee insects 909 found in the insect identification database. Although it takes the lightning bugs one to two years to mature from larvae into adults, the lifespan of an adult is extremely short. Male lightning bugs flash patterns of light to females. Entries are listed below in alphabetical order atoz. After the peak period, the flashing gradually declines until the mating season is over. Fireflies, or lightning bugs, can be found all over the eastern parts of north america, but the great smoky mountains is one destination that attracts thousands of visitors year after year to see the elkmont fireflies. The elkmont area of the great smoky mountains national park is world renowned for being home to the magnificent display of this unique species of firefly. As you can imagine, seeing that many lightning bugs light up at once is pretty. The bugs are typically flashing between midmay and early june, but the festival runs may 10 to 27, 2019. About 800 to 1,000 people descend on the smoky mountains each year for the two week window when these tennessee fireflies flow in sync.
If you want to witness one of the most amazing sights that the great smoky mountains have to offer, then be sure to check out the incredible synchronous fireflies in elkmont this summer. Sharing the display honors his latewifes good nature. The annual search for two elusive species of lightning bugs blue ghost and synchronous has become a surprisingly bright spot for tourism in the mountains of north carolina and tennessee. The lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order coleoptera with over 2,000 described species. Learn 10 fascinating facts about fireflies, aka lightning bugs. Photinus carolinus fireflies mostly live in tennessee, but can be. Nps just announced this years peak dates for synchronous firefly. Its impossible to predict in advance exactly when the insects will begin flashing each year. Lightning bug season officially opened for local collectors in the first part of june.
This amazing event in gatlinburg, tennessee takes place once a year in the great smoky mountainsdont miss it. Synchronized fireflies of the great smoky mountains. They cant be flies as their name suggests because flies are members of the fly order. Great smoky mountains announces 2020 dates for annual. Discover synchronized fireflies of the great smoky mountains in gatlinburg, tennessee. Lightning bugs do best with hot, humid, wet weather. Fireflies in the great smoky mountains light up at once. Where to see synchronous fireflies now travel channel blog. They take one to two years to mature from larvae, but will live as adults for only about 21 days. Mild winters also mean a larger lightning bug population in your back yard, since the young will have had an easier time surviving the cold. The phenomenon only happens during the insects mating season, which in the us lasts for a twoweek period in late spring. For two weeks every june, fireflies in the smoky mountains perform an astonishing light show.
T he great smoky mountains national park is gearing up for its annual synchronous fireflies event, during which swarms of lightning bugs will light up the park at night. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national park. Apr 25, 2019 dont feel like heading to a public park. This site has been documented by lynn faust author of fireflies, glowworms, and lightning bugs and by researchers paul shaw and gerry middleton from the oakridge wildlife management area as a significant find. Heres where and when to see millions of fireflies this spring. They are in different families, but in the same order beetles, coleoptera. The females signal in response from perches in or near the ground. Chemical pesticides and herbicides are partly to blame for the bugs diminishing numbers. The synchronous firefly photinus carolinus, or lightning bug is very similar to. The larvae usually live for approximately one to two years, from mating season to mating season, before becoming adults and giving birth to the next generation. The male lightning bugs use their flashing pattern to attract females during mating season. Synchronous fireflies great smoky mountains national park u.
Best time to see synchronous fireflies in tennessee 2020. Oct 21, 2019 fireflies are amazing insects, known for their remarkable ability to produce light. Jul, 2014 theres one forest in tennessee where fireflies put on a show unlike anywhere else. A summertime light show theres one forest in tennessee where fireflies put on a show unlike anywhere else. Knox man opens property for synchronous firefly viewing. Every year, in late may and early june, the elkmont fireflies sometimes also referenced to as. The tensofthousands of lightning bugs gather in swarms and flash in harmony as the entire. Before the peak period, the number of flashing fireflies builds a little each day. June firefly watching in great smoky mountains national park. Also known as photinus carolinus, these lightning bugs flash in sync as. For synchronous fireflies, the peak mating season usually begins in late may and ends in early june, although the twoweek season varies slightly year to.
The mills brothers sang, glow little glow worm glimmer, glimmer and later, when mac davis heard the country calling, he sang catch a lightning bug and put it in a jar. Imagine seeing thousands light up at the exact same time. Its no wonder thousands of tourists camp out each year to. Apr 27, 2017 the great smoky mountains national park recently announced the viewing dates for 2017s weeklong firefly season, where thousands of fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, sync up their light. Great smoky mountains national park officials have announced this years dates for firefly viewing in elkmont. A simple video of the little blinky beetles, with natural background noise. These tennessee fireflies glow in sync and you can see them very soon. It may be fun to catch lightning bugs in glass jars, but youll be doing them a huge favor if you allow them to complete their entire lifecycle undisturbed. The synchronous firefly photinus carolinus, or lightning bug is. The mostvisited park in the united states is the only place in america where it happens, and its one of natures most amazing spectaclesright up there with the aurora borealis, sailing stones, and monarch butterfly migration.
The mating season lasts for approximately two weeks each year. Details about the synchronous elkmont fireflies event in the smoky. If nothing else, just enjoy the quiet and comfort in the audio. When the male sees the females flash he continues to signal and moves closer. The elkmont fireflies are one of 19 species of fireflies in the smoky mountains. Jun 10, 2014 yes, a lightning bug, or as we call it in tennessee, a fire fly, is a beetle, like a lady bug, which is also a beetle. May 30, 2016 firefly larvae live underground through the winter and they start to grow in the spring and emerge in early summer to mate. Eventually, through a series of flashes, they find each other. Right here in the smoky mountains, near the elkmont campground, is the largest population of synchronous fireflies in the western hemisphere. The onceayear phenomenon is so popular that a lottery system has been established for obtaining the coveted parking passes required to attend. Synchronized firefly show in great smoky mountains national.
Just a few of these insects whether you know them as lightning bugs or fireflies illuminating a summer sky at twilight is a magical spectacle. View the amazing synchronous fireflies in the smoky mountains. An adult firefly lives only long enough to mate and lay eggsso they may not need to eat during their adult life stage. Anywhere from late may to early june these fireflies can be seen nightly lighting up the dark hollows of the mountains. Park officials will run shuttles into the area to see the fireflies from may 30 through june 6. Theres one forest in tennessee where fireflies put on a show unlike anywhere else. Great smoky mountains announces 2020 dates for annual firefly.
Jul 05, 20 fireflieslightning bugs in east tennessee. Therefore consider the list below as a general indicator of the insects, bugs and spiders that may be found in a given state or province. This private property in tennessee is owned by the bennett family and opens its doors to firefly enthusiasts each year. The dates that the fireflies begin to display varies from year to yearscientists havent figured out why, but it depends at least in part on temperature and soil moisture. While people commonly call these amazing creatures fireflies or lightning bugs, they are actually small flying beetles with. Details about the synchronous elkmont fireflies event in the. Visitors can hop on the fireflies trail between 9 p. The great smoky mountain firefly show pigeon forge, tn. There is a period of about two weeks and it varies from year to year, which is the fireflies mating season. And youll find some rare species in the blue ridge and great smoky mountains, but they only come out for a short visit.