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. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. United States
  4. 2020
  5. June 05
  6. 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

Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, CanadaButchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, ChileTorres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Leopard mother grooming her cub, Jao Reserve, BotswanaLeopard mother grooming her cub, Jao Reserve, Botswana
Donkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, NevadaDonkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, Nevada
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern IrelandDunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, BrazilStriated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, FranceFormal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Grove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, CaliforniaGrove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California

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

grass outdoor plant sky landscape tree lush cloud animal colorful arranged water nature hillside grassy garden flower botanical garden park groundcover
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.