For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions Discover Blue Ghost Fireflies in Hendersonville, North Carolina: These eerie outliers of the lightning bug family glow a mysteriously blue color, for too long, and it's awesome. So if you are in the Blue Ridge mountains or … It … Morphology and behavior of. This item is part of JSTOR collection Both the males and females give off a constant bluish glow, unlike the fireflies in our area, which pulse on a regular basis. As the weather warms in the Southern Appalachians, the blue ghosts start to appear. The blue ghost firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a species of particular fascination here in the Great Smoky Mountains. By continuing, you agree to iColorpalette's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy. In 2019, “firefly season” began in mid March and will continue through Sunday, March 31. With a personal account, you can read up to 100 articles each month for free. Those critters, by and large, glow a yellow-green hue. Get starting colors from your images. The blue ghost firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a species of particular fascination here in the Great Smoky Mountains. All Rights Reserved. Phausis reticulata, commonly referred to as the blue ghost, is a species of firefly found in the eastern and central United States. Behavior and habitat of P. reticulata were observed at several locations in the southern Appalachians from 1997 through 2008, most intensively in 2006 and 2007. Spencer Black. Blue ghost fireflies in North Carolina. Tennessee Naturescapes partners with DLiA to go native! Their eerie name comes from the singular, long-lasting, flash of males which can remain illuminated for up to one minute at a time. The reason for declining numbers may be due to multiple reasons, including loss of suitable habitat to development, years of drought, and light pollution impacting mating. The first begins in April and lasts until late May. Find out more about DLiA and its internship program at dlia.org. Discover Blue Ghost Fireflies in Hendersonville, North Carolina: These eerie outliers of the lightning bug family glow a mysteriously blue color, for too long, and it's awesome. The species is common in the southern Appalachians, and can be seen in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Chattahoochee National Forest, as well as North Carolina's DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest. No, they’re not otherworldly or apparitional—they’re just insects. Blue ghost females are less alluring, but nonetheless interesting. But in a few rare regions of North Carolina, as the weather starts to warm up in the Appalachian mountains, blue ghost fireflies begin to emit a color firefly lovers aren't used to seeing. A male blue ghost firefly emits an ethereal blue light for up to a minute at a time while it’s looking for a mate. Their eerie name comes from the singular, long-lasting, flash of males which can remain illuminated for up to one minute at a time. Females cannot fly and rely on at least a moderately moist understory to survive. To access this article, please. Blue ghost fireflies only glow during mating season, and are only found in isolated areas in the Blue Ridge Mountains.