The 12th Annual PA Firefly Festival, June 28 and June 29, 2024: 6 Weeks to Go!

Monday, May 16, 2016

6 Weeks to Go!

We had a very productive meeting yesterday. Lots of details to cover between now and the festival.

The biggest item is the Volunteer Training on Saturday, June 18 at 8:00 pm. This is open to anyone interested in helping to lead the interpretive walks the night of the event. We will provide you with all the information you need and you will get an early opportunity to go out and look for fireflies. Meet at the Black Caddis Ranch and come prepared to hike into the forest after sunset. Can't make the 6/18 training? We will be happy to give you a crash course the day of the festival too, so find a PAFF member at the festival and get registered.

We are also looking for local firefly monitors to watch and report on sightings of fireflies throughout the Allegheny National Forest in the weeks and days leading up to the festival on June 25. You are welcome to post your sightings and observations on our Facebook or Twitter pages. If you are willing to be either a volunteer firefly interpretive guide the night of the festival or a firefly monitor contact us at pafireflyfestival@gmail.com.

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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?

Monday, May 16, 2016

6 Weeks to Go!

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2013 Synchronous Display

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