Smoky mountains fireflies

This digital story (which may be behind a paywall) was published in National Geographic magazine in June 2021. It received a Multimedia Single Work Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.

It takes viewers to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on an early summer evening at the peak of the firefly mating display. Every year, for less than one month, males and females exchange light signals as part of their courtship behavior, creating a remarkable light show that attracts thousands of visitors.

Some firefly species in the park begin their courtship behavior at dusk and stop before it becomes fully dark, while others prefer later evening hours. Species can be identified by their flash timing and frequency, as well as by the height at which males fly above the ground.