Luminescence Firefly Tour
As the sky blackens, for other places, it is the time to close down for the day as there is nowhere else to visit. But at this Mangrove Resources Development Station 2 (Ban Tha Sorn), once the sky is darkening, there is have a breathtaking activity awaiting to explore.
This is to experience the magnificent lit insects sparkling through the forest.
At 7 o’clock, the station’s staff members will pick you up to begin the firefly tour.
The electric trolley runs quietly along the firefly scene that is through the track and straight to the port at the end of the wooden bridge, where the mangrove forest is on both sides. Keep the light off for the whole trip to allow the fireflies to flash through the dark forests on both sides.
At first, the darkness might make you feel a bit uncomfortable, but once you have sunk into the quiet peace of the night and calm breeze, if you look up, you will see the surrounding sky dazzling with stars. The heart-melting moment is when the dancing lights are illuminated through the bushes and the forest. And that is the light parade of glittering fireflies you will be looking for.
Once the trolley passes deeper into the forest, more and more dancing lights will frequently fly up and down give you a breathtaking memory throughout the trip.
A large group of fireflies gathering on a tree will give a stunning effect that you can enjoy the fluorescent green lights flashing and dancing in rhythm up and down the tree. This exquisite scene will freeze you to the moment that for once you will not be able to tell the stars apart from the fireflies.
If noticed, fireflies tend to gather at one tree and synchronise their flashes in rhythm as a communication signal.
This puzzle has an answer. The forestry expert can explain this secret to you that the beautiful flashing light we will enjoy has the primary purpose as a mating signal to “woo” between male and female fireflies.
This area has 2 species of fireflies, which are Pteroptyx valida and Pteroptyx malaccae. A different type of firefly will flash in different rhythms. The same species will synchronise their flashes.
Lighting bugs like fireflies have a 4-month lifespan, with only 7 days to become adult fireflies. During this prime time, the male adults will feed on dew to pursue the mating mission.
Rhizophora and Sonneratia are the favourite mangrove trees that fireflies gather to find their mates.
The male fireflies will shine a larger light than the females. The one with the brighter light will win the better chance to attract a female.
If you look closer, you might find a few little flashes dancing on the ground. That means the lucky fireflies have found their loved ones and stay on the ground to mate.
Some of you recognised that fact because you will see some lights flying close to the ground. That, in fact, is their love mission activity…
This area still has a complete mangrove ecological system that remains the habitat for a large population of fireflies.
The Station is open for a firefly tour during November – May of each year due to no rain and cooler temperatures.
The best time to observe the magnificent firefly season is between January and February.
If you come during this high season, you will enjoy the dazzling lights shining from the trees through the forest path lying along the 2-km road.
Normally tourists will take the trolley from the Station. There is also the bicycle for rent service or you can enjoy walking to watch the fireflies as well. Firefly watching is absolutely one of the best experiences you can get from being so close to nature.
Especially on the Valentine ’s Day in February, imagine that you and your love are strolling down the peaceful night under the romantic dazzling lights of fireflies which are on a mission of carefully selecting their loved ones.
Luminescence Firefly Tour
