Join Matthew Speights for a nighttime hike on Bender Mountain to discover the hidden world of fireflies and the amazing diversity of their species, behaviors, and lifestyles.
Catching fireflies on warm, summer nights was a favorite part of my childhood. I learned that male fireflies flashed and glowed to find a mate, but I never knew there were hundreds of kinds of fireflies, including ones that were poisonous, venomous pack hunters, mimics, or even cannibals!
We will see the first glowing firefly species of Spring and discover the strategies fireflies use to survive snow, avoid predators like bats, or share information as they flash with yellow, green, and even orange lights. In the process, we’ll learn why fireflies are disappearing, what their environmental needs are, and what we can do to help them survive.
Be sure to bring a red headlamp or flashlight to help keep your night vision intact. It’s also a great idea to wear sturdy shoes or boots and to have a hiking stick for those steep trails in the dark. No worries if you forget your flashlight—we’ll have some extra red ones on hand for anyone who needs them. Looking forward to seeing you all out there!