Where to see fireflies in the Triangle (and how to attract them to your own backyard)

A ticket to the annual Great Smoky Mountain synchronous firefly summer event can be hard to snag. Seeing the fireflies’ blinking-in-unison routine, deemed a “Christmas tree light show” by our in-state firefly experts, can be a once in a lifetime experience.

Thankfully, North Carolina is home to nearly 40 species of fireflies. On a dark enough evening, you can probably see their little lamps shine in the corners of your own backyard.

“Fireflies present an opportunity for folks to interact in a really positive way with insects. They’re kind of a gateway drug to the wonder of the insect world,” said Clyde Sorenson, an entomologist from N.C. State University and a leading expert in firefly research.

“Insects are extraordinarily abundant and important to the function of our systems, and right now, we may be confronting an insect crisis. Appreciating one kind can help us appreciate other kinds, too,” Sorenson said. “Spending time looking for and learning about fireflies will do nothing but make your life richer.”

The News & Observer spoke with Sorenson to learn more about fireflies in the Triangle, plus how to make our backyards more firefly friendly.

Is it firefly or lightning bug?

Central North Carolinians, by the way, use “firefly” and “lightning bug” pretty interchangeably, according to an NC State statistics department study.

But at the eastern- and westernmost edges of the state, “lightning bug” is the preferred term.

Are there fireflies in the Triangle?

Yes, and most people will see twinkling fireflies throughout the summer. There are between 30 and 40 species in North Carolina, and many are abundant in the Triangle.

Most species are not synchronous, meaning they do not flash their lights in unison in masses of thousands (as they do on Grandfather Mountain and in the Great Smoky Mountains).

The several non-synchronous species of NC’s fireflies can occur in high densities, creating “spectacular light shows across the Carolinas,” Sorenson said.

“If people pay attention, they’ll notice they have more than just one species around their homes. If they take care of their properties and don’t do things that are bad for fireflies, they can have impressive shows in their own backyards,” Sorenson said.

Outside of the Triangle, as you get closer to the mountains and the western foothills, another special kind of firefly graces our state. Blue ghost fireflies shine a blue hue and stay lit for a full minute instead of flashing in quick bursts. Take a trip a few hours west to see them in the thousands. (Asheville holds blue ghost firefly night hikes and viewing events in late May, though many of these events are already sold out.)

How to attract fireflies to your backyard

It’s not difficult to spot fireflies in the Triangle, and some species flicker near homes around yards all summer long.

Soreonson recommends following three steps to bring fireflies to your backyards:

1. Avoid insecticides (or use them sparingly): Overusing insecticide is the top reason fireflies will avoid yards. If you can’t remember the last time a firefly graced your property, you’re probably using insecticides liberally, deterring the bugs from your area.

“If you have to use them, please use them judiciously, and don’t apply it in broad sweeps around your property,” Sorenson said.

2. Turn off outdoor lights: Fireflies communicate through their light, so they only spend time in areas where they can see one another. Extra light interferes with their ability to find each other and procreate.

“Don’t have outdoor lighting when you don’t need to, and don’t keep your spaces lit all the time,” Sorenson said.

“This small change can help you see fireflies quickly. Keep your backyard lights off for a few days and start looking outside around dusk and after dark. Unless you’ve killed your chances with insecticide, they’ll come.”

3. Let your habitats thrive: Plant native and avoid invasive species. Maintain your woods and keep natural elements in and around your yard as much as you’re able. Fireflies love these conditions.

How to make fireflies come to you

When you have fireflies nearby, you can encourage them to fly over to you, NC State Extension teaches. Use a small light source (a pen flashlight is best, since it’s small and not blindingly bright) and follow these instructions:

1. Identify: Spot a specific male firefly (one that’s flying around and flashing nearby).

2. Wait for his flash, then respond: As soon as he flashes, wait two seconds. Then flash your penlight in his direction (just a quick half-second flash).

3. Flash again: Let him flash again, then wait two more seconds. Then flash your penlight again, only for a half-second.

4. Keep it going: Repeat this call-and-response process another time or two as needed, and the male firefly will come to you in short order!

Learn more about fireflies by searching “Discover the secret science of fireflies” at homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu.

Where to see fireflies near Raleigh

Sorenson was hesitant to name specific parks or areas throughout the Triangle where we can spot some fireflies in masses: “If I were to give specific locations to some other sites where there’s nobody there to make sure folks are behaving, there’s a large possibility these populations can be damaged,” he said.

“I don’t want to say ‘go here’ and have 200 people show up. But next year, the fireflies won’t.”

Thankfully, North Carolina’s most common fireflies love spending time in backyards, so you don’t have to do much traveling to see their glow.

Here’s how (and where) you can spot local fireflies:

• Big Dipper fireflies: The most common species in the area is named after their flight pattern. Here’s what Walter Magazine said of the fireflies:

“Males of our most common species, the big dipper fireflies, flash their question in the shape of a graceful J. They dip and raise their lights to ask, ‘Who will love me?’ Their lovers wait patiently on leaves or blades of grass. They blink back their response three short times: ‘I will. I will. I will.’”

Big Dippers light up at dusk and only fly two or three feet above the ground.

“You’ve probably caught these as a kid,” Sorenson said. “They’re well adapted to yards, and almost everyone can see them if they turn their lights out.”

• Camp out in state parks: Any state park in the Carolinas should be home to abundant fireflies in May and June, he said. Since many fireflies aren’t visible until nightfall, setting up camp will ensure you can see the most fireflies.

“If you’re camping at any of the state parks, get to where you can look across an open field to a bank of trees. You’ll see an impressive firefly show,” he said.

Here are the state parks and areas in and near the Triangle:

• Umstead State Park (Raleigh)

• Eno River State Park (Durham)

• Raven Rock State Park (Lillington)

• Jordan Lake State Recreation Area (Apex)

• Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area (Hillsborough)

• Falls Lake State Recreation Area (Wake Forest)

Camping fees per night range from $15 to $145, depending on the type of camping facility you wish to reserve. Learn more (and make your reservation) at ncparks.gov/recreation/camping.

Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know?

Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.

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