Water Short: In Search of the Blue Ghost Firefly

Our second water short has us searching for the mysterious Blue Ghost Firefly. This Firefly is found nowhere else in the world, but the Southern Appalachians and the largest population is in Western North Carolina. While all other species of firefly blink on and off as a mating ritual, the Blue Ghost emits a steady glow lasting from 30 seconds to a whole minute with a glow intensity so bright that they illuminate a circular patch of light on the ground beneath them. You can only see them from late May to early June when the males are looking for the females.

Special Thanks to David Hart for the story idea and the Cradle of Forestry for the tour.