Where Can You See Fireflies in the World?

If you are born after the late 80s, it is not likely that you have seen real fireflies live. It seems they have vanished into the fire. I have not seen them for more than 30 years. Previously, when I used to travel in a car during the night, I have seen them in flocks hitting the car’s headlights.

I think the younger generation needs to see the fireflies to admire the sheer magical beauty of them. It’s the nature’s wonderful creation.

Look at the image of a firefly in close up. I think it’s an amazing capture in the camera.

I read the fireflies differ from area to area, country to country. They are still spotted in America and Asia. Thus far, I only have seen them in the night, while traveling. I don’t know where they can be seen during the daytime. I read that several firefly species live on stagnant water (still water) such as ponds and marshes.

Where can you see fireflies in the United States?

Let us skip the facts that include what they prey on and what is their lifetime. Those are irrelevant to us. Let us now go to those places in the world where we can see the magnificent firefly every year. Remember, fireflies are nocturnal and can be seen only during the night and that too, they can be clearly seen in total darkness. Firefly emit light mainly to attract mates.

• DuPont State Recreational Forest, North Carolina
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
• Appalachian Mountains that pass through in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
• Elkmont, Tennessee, USA

Tennessee and North Carolina in the United States seem to be liked by the rare and beautiful fireflies.

In order not to disturb the large population of fireflies in the Smoky Mountains, there are some restrictions imposed on the number of visitors in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

• Congaree National Park, South Carolina

It is close to the capital city of Columbia. Only a 30 minute-drive can take you to the habitat of fireflies. In order to spot the light –emitting insects, there is an exclusive viewing walkway on an elevated platform. This firefly friendly park in South Carolina attracts thousands of firefly enthusiasts from all over the world.

Allegheny National Forest – Pennsylvania

This is the right time to plan your trip to participate in the annual Pennsylvania Firefly Festival that will be held on June 25th, 2018. The venue will be Tionesta. People start arriving from noon and stay on till midnight.

When is the best time to see the fireflies?

Of course during the night! Oh, cool it; just pulling your leg. Fireflies mate during May and June. Naturally, it is the best time to see firefly emitting light on and off.

Fireflies in Asia

The fireflies spotted in large numbers in Malaysia in Asia.

One of the ideal places to see the firefly in Malaysia is the Kampung Kuantan. There is even an official firefly park here.

The Malaysians call the firefly as “Kelip-kelip”. A large number of fireflies live on the shores of Selangor River. The river bank is lined with mangrove trees on which the fireflies stick to. Firefly spotters are taken on a firefly safari, in a small boat riding on the Selangor River during the night.

How to reach the Kampung Kuantan?

Kampung Kuantan village is located about 9 km from the town of Kuala Selangor and it 54 km from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

To hire a boat, you have to find a way to reach the jetty of Kampung Kuantan. Firefly boat tour starts only at 7.30 to and the last boat leaves the jetty at 10.30 pm.

Fireflies in Japan

Again, June is the best season for the fireflies to appear in Japan. The Japanese celebrate firefly festivals with great pomp and enthusiasm. The fireflies grace their own festivals in gardens and river banks.

          Yu-Jheng Fang

Places to see fireflies in Japan:

• Kansai region.
• Motosu Hotaru Park in Gifu.
• Sekigahara, south-west of Gifu Prefecture.
• Hakone Hotel garden, Kowakien, Kanagawa
• Hotel Chinzanso garden, Tokyo
• Tsukiyono Firefly Village, Gunma
• Kemi Firefly Village, Nagano

If you ever spot the firefly that is also called ‘glow worm’ in some parts of the world, please let me know by leaving a few lines in the comment box.