Seeing the first glow of fireflies each year is a familiar and welcome reminder that summer is nearly here. But did you know there’s a place in North Carolina where some fireflies glow blue? The Phausis reticulata, more commonly known as the blue ghost firefly, is unique to the Southern Appalachians.
Unlike common fireflies, which flicker in a yellow-white hue, blue ghost fireflies emit a steady glow in an eerie bluish color that’s difficult to capture with a camera. They can stay lit for up to one minute at a time as the males hover above the forest floor in search of a mate among the flightless females of the species.
It takes some planning to spot them since they make an appearance just once a year for about two weeks to a month in the forests near Hendersonville, but the impressive display is worth the effort.
Learn more about these fascinating fireflies and where you can see them this summer at romanticasheville.com/fireflies.
I live in Wilkes county, close to Stone Mountain State Park. I believe I saw the Blue Ghost Fireflies late last night at my home. I have never heard of or seen them before last night. I am hopeful that I will see them again tonight and possibly record them. Fingers crossed!! From the research I have done so far today, they usually aren’t seen until early summer and only in specific areas. My father-in-law lives next to us on our land and he is dying from liver cancer. He only has a short time left. I would like to believe that the Lord is blessing us with something special during our difficult time. Whatever the reason may be; it was magical and has definitely made an impact on my life. I hope to see them again tonight, but if not I will never forget these rare and beautiful insects!
Nicki, thanks for sharing your story with us! I hope you and your father-in-law are able to see the blue ghost fireflies together. What a special experience.
Best,
Jessy Yancey
managing editor, NC Field & Family
Hi Jessy,
It is hard to believe that is has been 2 yrs today since the first appearance of the Blue Ghost Fireflies. My father-in-law passed away the end of May that year. The fireflies were present, in abundance, and stayed around until mid-late June. Then they slowly dwindled down. They were present last year around the same time. Low and behold…they are back. I have only seen a few, but am optimistic that there will be more as it continues to warm up. I haven’t had the proper equipment to document them, but am hopeful I can figure something out this year before they are gone. They truly are magical! A rare and beautiful gift from God!!
I’m in Wilkes as well. I believe I have been seeing Blue Ghost Fireflies since late April. I haven’t seen then in about 2 weeks.
My wife and I were uoutide last night observing to lunar eclipse and blood moon when we saw what appeared to be fire flies flying around; but they were MUCH larger and stayed lit much longer than fire flies. They produced a white light, it didn’t blink, and stayed on for a minute or more. Could these have been Blue Ghost fireflies? If not, could you give me some other possibilities. We live in Hudson, NC and have many woods around us — such a pretty, peaceful little town. We love it.
Hello, I have blue ghost fireflies in my yard west of Murphy,NC. I’ve seen them here for the 9 years I’ve lived here. Are they endangered? The TVA is proposing a new line through my property and will be clear cutting much of the area for a line. I’m hoping to save what I can.
Contact the Conservation dept. Your Senator and all Blue Ghost associations and conservation groups. Look on Facebook for those groups.
I think I am seeing blue ghost fireflies the last 3 nights just south of Raleigh, is this possible?