When was the last time you saw a firefly? Many of us have memories of chasing “lightning bugs” in our youth, but did you do it here and did you know how rare fireflies in South Carolina are? We have good news though: they are here and you can see them for a few fleeting weeks each spring. Here’s more on the two forests in which they can be found:.
Throughout different parts of North America, this curious little beetle is known as a firefly, a glow worm, or the more commonly known name: a lightning bug.
In many states where the lightning bug is prevalent throughout much of the late spring and a great deal of the summer season, the insects are natural entertainment for kids and adults alike.
But here in South Carolina? Spotting a lightning bug is a very rare occurrence. But there are two public places where they converge to breed each spring and if you're lucky, you'll make the trip and get to lay eyes on not only one, but hundreds of them!
This is where both species fly around starting at dusk flashing their species-specific patterns of light in order to attract to opposite sex. In other words, it's their mating ritual.
Here in South Carolina that ritual typically takes place in the last three weeks of May but depending upon each year's seasonal conditions, it can easily extend into early June, too.
Once the mating ritual is successful, the female will lay her eggs in the damp soil of the swamp and about four weeks later, the larvae will emerge and hunker down in the swamp until next spring.
We've written before about the Synchronous Firefly event that takes place each year at Congaree National Park. And well, if you were interested in going to their organized event where only 120 cars are allowed into the park on firefly nights, then you've already missed the lottery that selects the ticket winners. But there's still hope to see the lightning bugs at Congaree or even at another, more underrated, nearby spot.
Because lightning bugs prefer to mate in damp, dense, almost tropical environments, Congaree National Forest is a perfect spot for them. Once the mating is successful, the female drops her eggs just under the surface of the damp forest floor.
The eggs will hatch after about four weeks and then the larvae will feed just under the surface until next May when they emerge to start the breeding process all over again. Now, since you are probably among they many (myself included) who missed this year's lottery for tickets to the Congaree event, we'll let you in on the best kept secret (until now) for a second chance to see the fireflies this year.
It's at the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest, located about an hour to the west of Congaree National Park. Here's the important thing to know: The forest is only open during daylight hours which isn't much of a help if you're seeking the magical glow of the firefly. However, the Center does conduct night walks.
There is one nightwalk scheduled for April, two in May, and there are also two in early June. While the Audubon Center does not guarantee you'll see fireflies, this is your second-best bet to see them this year (outside of Congaree National Park). But act fast. As of this morning, slots were available for the limited-person nightwalks mentioned above! But they will sell fast after this article publishes. So don't delay!
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How long has it been since you saw a lightning bug? For me, it's been decades!
Don’t pass up the chance to see fireflies in South Carolina!
Here’s some more info from Congaree National Park about this year’s synchronous firefly event: In an effort to disturb the mating ritual of this beetle as little as possible, the park’s gates will close to visitors each day at 4 p.m. from May 15 – May 29. If you were lucky enough to win the ticket lottery you’ll be permitted to enter after dark on the night of your ticket. For the rest of us, we can plan a trip to Congaree soon after May 29th in an attempt to hopefully still get to see the fireflies. Learn more about the firefly event at Congaree National Park here. FYI: Except for the weeks when the park closes early to protect the fireflies, Congaree National Park is open 24 hours a day and admission is free.
