The 12th Annual PA Firefly Festival, June 28 and June 29, 2024: 2020 Revised PA Firefly Interpretive Programs and Camp Outs and the Virtual Stay-At-Home PA Firefly Festival

Thursday, May 28, 2020

2020 Revised PA Firefly Interpretive Programs and Camp Outs and the Virtual Stay-At-Home PA Firefly Festival

In light of the lifting of restrictions in our area by Governor Wolf, the PA Firefly Festival has decided to offer some limited firefly viewing programs this June. We feel confident that we can follow the CDC guidelines and safely provide limited viewing opportunities and restricted educational programs. Therefore, we are releasing the revised schedule with links to registrations. Be aware that attendance is limited to 25 participants or less to minimize health risks and environmental impacts. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet will be respected at all events. Masks will be encouraged but not required.

By registering, participants assume responsibility for any and all risk due to possible exposure to COVID-19. Anyone with a fever or who presents with other obvious symptoms will be asked to withdraw from events. Please DO NOT register if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks.

This announcement DOES NOT apply to the 8th Annual PA Firefly Festival. All daytime activities have been cancelled. We are still planning to host a Virtual STAY-AT-HOME Online Festival. You will still be able to enjoy some video, music and slideshow presentations by firefly and forest experts from your computer or smart devices in the comfort and safety of your home. We will be posting and hopefully streaming this on June 27 on our Youtube Channel, Facebook and Instagram pages. Stay tuned to our website for more details.

The 2020 PAFF T-shirt will be available through Custom Ink starting June 1.

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Firefly Speak

A GLOSSARY OF FIREFLY TERMS

ABDOMEN The third and last section of an insect body. Fireflies have their light organs located in their abdomen.

COLEOPTERA The classification name (Order) for the insects known as beetles. Fireflies belong to this Order.

DIURNAL Active during the daylight hours. As opposed to nocturnal. Some firefly species are diurnal.

ECLOSE to emerge, as when an adult FF emerges from the pupa cocoon.

ELYTRON (plural – elytra) The hard wing cover that protects the firefly wings. Elytra are a shared characteristic with all beetles.

ENTOMOLOGY The study of insects.

LAMPYRIDAE - The classification name (Family) of beetles that include the fireflies. Over 2000 species of Lampyridae are known in the world.

PHEROMONE A chemical released in the air by insects to attract mates. Some firefly species use pheromones instead of light signals for mating.

PRONOTUM A shield-like plate that covers the head of fireflies.

THORAX The middle section of an insect body.

Synchronous Fireflies and more

The Photinus carolinus, aka as the "Synchronous Firefly", was identified and confirmed to be in the Allegheny National Forest during the summer of 2012. A team of world-class Firefly scientists from Tennessee and Georgia came to Black Caddis Ranch for 10 days, and traveled throughout the ANF collecting specimens and studying the diversity of fireflies.

The P. carolinus is unique in that the males' flash patterns are in synchrony with each other, so they appear to be like a string of Christmas lights hanging in the forest. Other witnesses have likened it to camera flashbulbs at a sporting event. One of the other confirmed habitats in North America is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee where 1000s of visitors line up nightly for 10 nights to see this phenomenon. More populations are being confirmed each year stretching from Georgia to New York along the Appalachian Ridge. The Synchronous fireflies are in abundance throughout the Allegheny National Forest and can be seen in the ANF recreation areas starting mid-June through early July.

Over 15 different species were identified and described along with the Synchronous. One other local species was a Photuris species dubbed the"Chinese Lanterns" by the scientists. These were observed floating across the Tionesta creek casting their glow onto the water.

Starting around July 4 to the middle of August, the "Big Dipper", Photinus pyralis, begin their displays in the fields and yards all over NW PA. They can put on quite a natural fireworks show from dusk around 9 pm to 9:45 pm. Whichever species you witness during the approximately 4-6 week season, you can be sure to have a moment of awe and wonder at this display of nature.

The season is highly dependent on weather and temperatures. We watch several different factors (both scientific hard data and "soft signs"). Follow us on Facebook for updates as the season begins and progresses in 2022.

The 12th Annual PA Firefly Festival, June 28 and June 29, 2024

When is the PA Firefly Festival?

Thursday, May 28, 2020

2020 Revised PA Firefly Interpretive Programs and Camp Outs and the Virtual Stay-At-Home PA Firefly Festival

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2013 Synchronous Display

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