Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United States
  3. 2020
  4. June 05
  5. Synchronous fireflies illuminate the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Synchronous fireflies illuminate the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

June 05, 2020

Synchronous fireflies illuminate the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

© Floris van Breugel/Minden Picture

By the light of the fireflies

Every year between late May and mid-June, synchronous fireflies gather into a sparkling, rhythmic light show in the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As part of their two-week mating display, the female lightning bugs synchronize their flashes with nearby males so that every few seconds waves of light ripple through the woods. Of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Photinus carolinus is the only species with synchronous light displays, but they can also be found in Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania and Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Other species of synchronous fireflies are particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia.

Not all firefly species flash light. But of those that do, each species has a characteristic flash pattern that helps the males and females recognize each other. In most species, like this one, the males fly and flash, while the females generally stay still and respond with a flash of their own. It's not clear why some species of fireflies flash synchronously, although some hypotheses involve diet, social interaction, and altitude. No matter why they do it, the flashing of lightning bugs is a magical sight to see—and we can all use a little magic sometimes.

grass tree outdoor nature flower autumn forest landscape plant wood wooded

Related Images

Mona Vale Rockpool, Sydney, AustraliaMona Vale Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
Jotunheimen National Park in NorwayJotunheimen National Park in Norway
Baobab trees at sunset, Avenue of the Baobabs, MadagascarBaobab trees at sunset, Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, CaliforniaMount Hamilton, near San Jose, California
Porto Flavia, Sardinia, ItalyPorto Flavia, Sardinia, Italy
Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, ChileTorres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
The Milky Way framed by Double Arch in Arches National Park, UtahThe Milky Way framed by Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah
Halema'uma'u Crater's lava lake, Kīlauea Caldera, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, HawaiiHalema'uma'u Crater's lava lake, Kīlauea Caldera, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Today on Bing

Masoala National Park in Madagascar

Masoala National Park in Madagascar

Jun 05, 2024
'Priscilla the Parrotfish' art installation at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul, Minnesota

'Priscilla the Parrotfish' art installation at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul, Minnesota

Jun 05, 2023
Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden

Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden

Jun 05, 2022
Black-mandibled toucan in the rainforest canopy of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica

Black-mandibled toucan in the rainforest canopy of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica

Jun 05, 2021
The tree canopy in the Tambopata National Reserve of the Peruvian Amazon

The tree canopy in the Tambopata National Reserve of the Peruvian Amazon

Jun 05, 2019

Related Tags

nature landscape water mountain sky outdoor lake clouds plant cloud hillside tree wave overlooking lush highland cave grass dark ocean
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.