Synchronous Fireflies (or faeries)

“The annual lighting display of the synchronous firefly beetles in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June has become so popular that Park managers have developed a plan to relieve traffic congestion that occurs during the peak activity period at the Little River Trailhead at Elkmont in Tennessee.
The peak period of the mating behavior can vary each year, but normally begins around the second week in June. Park managers have
identified June 8-19 to begin a pilot project to improve crowded conditions, protect Park resources, and improve the viewing experience.

Park managers are imposing “no parking” at the trailhead, encouraging visitors to ride the extended trolley service provided by the City of Gatlinburg or carpool with family and friends, designating off-site parking
locations at trolley stops, and providing staff to assist with traffic control and to provide on-site nightly walks and talks. (See specifics below.)

Over the years, publicity on this particular species of firefly display has spread widely. Last year the Park received over 8,000 people during a 2-week period when the fireflies are displaying their flashing activity, which in the natural world is actually a mating ritual.

Rick Brown, Acting Chief Ranger said that “There are upwards to 300-400 vehicles on peak nights which are an overwhelming number of cars for the area. The trailhead parking area is not large enough to adequately accommodate the number of vehicles
transporting people to this site for what has turned out to be a major summer evening event. Many people are forced to park on the road shoulders along the narrow road creating an even more risky condition. In addition, whenever there is a crowded situation like this there is always an increased chance for potential injury to visitors, and in these circumstances, any number of medical situations, from a snakebite to a leg injury, can occur. There are hidden hazards of walking in the dark and along uneven paths and into patchy, bumpy grassy fields located off thetrail.”

Park managers have developed the following strategies:

“No Parking” will be enforced June 8 – 19 between the hours of 5 p.m.
and 12 a.m. at the Little River Trailhead. This area will be used to serve
as a turn-around area for the trolleys and as a carpool drop-off. Hikers
can park at this location during the day before 5 p.m.

City of Gatlinburg Expanded Trolley Service:
Dates: Thursday, June 9- Sunday, June 12 and Thursday, June
16-Sunday, June 19.
Times: The increased service runs between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. The
trolleys will run every 20-25 minutes between trolley stops.
Trolley Stops: Sugarlands Visitor Center (last pickup 9 p.m. to
Elkmont), Laurel Falls Trailhead (last pickup 9 p.m. to Elkmont),
Elkmont (last trolley from Elkmont back to Laurel Falls or
Sugarlands, 11 p.m.)
Cost: $.50 at Sugarlands and $.25 from Laurel Falls (one way
fare).
Note: Visitors can bring lawn chairs. Trolley also provides
daily transportation stops to these locations throughout the
summer beginning in Gatlinburg.

Park Rangers and volunteers will be posted at several locations to
help manage the traffic and direct people to alternative parking and
trolley pick up points.

Park Rangers and volunteers will provide guided walks and talks 8:30
p.m.-10:30 p.m., June 12-19. (Bring a flashlight.) They will also be on
hand to assist visitors with safety and other information, and distribute
blue cellophane to cover flashlights so that the light does not interfere
with the firefly synchrony.

“We greatly appreciate the willingness of Gatlinburg city officials

to increase the trolley runs in the Park. Parking is the main issue, and

we strongly encourage visitors, including local residents, to use the

expanded trolley service or take the time to carpool. Parking at

Sugarlands Visitor Center and catching a trolley at that location is the

recommended option since there is adequate parking.”

There are an additional six species of fireflies that display at

Elkmont this time of the year. “The difference in the synchronous

fireflies from the other species is that they synchronize the periods

during which they light and don’t light, said Keith Langdon, Chief of the

Inventory and Monitoring Branch. “A short time ago we believed that the

synchronous firefly only existed in the Park at Elkmont. We have received

reports of the synchronous firefly activity in many other areas both in

North Carolina and Tennessee and we are devoting time this year to identify

other locations that we can direct people to view these particular insects

doing their synchrony behavior.”

-NPS-”

“Well that pretty much screws the backpackers out of parking at the trailhead.”

“Yeah, but look at the bright side of things ... you get a free trolley ride.”

“WOO HOO!”

“yup!

Luckily, these pretty little bugs float around my house too. Its so nice to see them out my bedroom window. I think I will sleep in the woods tonight! Saw them in Lost Cove - WIlson Creek Wilderness in NC over the weekend too. However, I swear I see these fireflies around my house in October too!”

“you mean you're not supposed to see those little sparklies all the time? Maybe I should get my eyes checked?”

“Are they different than normal fireflies?

Birch's sister was up, from FLA, to help him out w/ his race. She got pretty excited about the fireflies. I think they're pretty cool too and am always glad when they come back for the summer. I guess I kinda take them for granted though.”

“JUst don't put the paper on teh tounge....”

“These fireflies are different then the ones that blick on and off and have two black wings with some red underneath. These fireflies are very hard to see when they turn off. They stay on for maybe 10 seconds and then turn off. Sometime they do it all in unison so all of them turn on and then they all turn off. Sometimes it looks like a green orb hanging in mid-air or you can see them tucked into a curled leaf when walking at night. I never seen anything like it until I came down South. Another good reason for being here!”

“Sass, the synchronous fireflys all flash at the same time. It's a line of sight thing with them so it looks like a wave rolling across the hillside. There are only a handful of places in the world where this occurs that have been documented.”

“How cool! Thanks for the response SG and HPM.
last edited: 6/06/05 1:51:08 PM”

“I saw them at BSF.

http://www.anycities.com/user/towndawg/laurel.htm”

“It's a shame the shuttle doesn't run to Metcalf Bottoms. It is much easier to get to than Sugarlands.”

“Yeah, you are right, but probably most people only know how to get to the Sugarlands...”

“True.”