Every year between late May and mid-June, synchronous fireflies gather into a sparkling, rhythmic light show in the forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As part of their two-week mating display, the female lightning bugs synchronize their flashes with nearby males so that every few seconds waves of light ripple through the woods. Of at least 19 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Photinus carolinus is the only species with synchronous light displays, but they can also be found in Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania and Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Other species of synchronous fireflies are particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia.
By the light of the fireflies
Today in History
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Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
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Gamboa Crater, Mars
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Hey, you two in the front!
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A stunning sight in Mexico s wilderness
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Great on so many levels
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Life goes on at the Beatles Ashram
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Puma in Patagonia
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A star blows a bubble
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3,000 years of history
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Aprils full moon
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Castle on a hill
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Moselle River loop near Kröv, Germany
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Happy Father s Day
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All eyes on moths
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A view from the top
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International Day for Biological Diversity
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Flocking together in the Antarctic
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Climb a tree for wild animals and plants
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International Day of the Tropics
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Indigenous Peoples Day
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For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
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International Surfing Day
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A path to access
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World Octopus Day
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Polar bear capital of the world
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Spring awakens
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Vale of Edale, Peak District, England
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In celebration of America’s national bird