Posted on 07/20/2021 9:55:29 AM PDT by fishtank
Fireflies Flash Together. Scientists investigate whether firefly synchrony is an optical illusion or really happens. It does.
July 19, 2021 | David F. Coppedge
On summer evenings in some eastern states, people are treated each summer to a dazzling nighttime fireworks show. Flashes of cold light appear in the woods, as males of the species Photinus carolinus emit transient bursts of yellow-white light from bioluminescent organs on their abdomens. There have been long-standing anecdotes of synchronized flashes among members of a swarm. Scientists have gathered some evidence that it indeed occurs, but there have not been clear indications of how the bugs propagate and receive information to synchronize their flashes.
(Excerpt) Read more at crev.info ...
Gotta be quantum related...
What states get them. I remember them in Indianapolis when I was growing up.
That’s Morris code for ...
“You can save 15% or more with Geico.”
Saw lots of them in Charlotte when I was a kid. Not so much anymore.
Maybe they’ll figure out why women go to the restroom at the same time.
Morse Code.
Lots of these bugs hereabouts.
I remember there used to be lots in the midwest, not recently though
MARK
We'd put 'em in jars and hang on to 'em for a day or so an' if they survived .... we let 'em go.
Same here... grew up in the Blackstone Valley area of MA and at times the area was full of them. Don't see many here in North Texas.
And when one goes out, they all go out.
We always have a ton in PA.
I also have a theory for why they flash together.
A long time ago I noticed they are always going upward when they flash. It’s easy to confirm this.. Just look out across a field on a summer night .. you will see that their flashing, which lasts about a second, always makes an upward streak about a 30° angle. Every single time. You never see a downward streak.
I never noticed the synchronicity thing - but my first thought was - what if they are riding air currents? I know eagles, hawks, vultures, and other birds ride air currents - so why not flying insects?
I figure, an upward air current might lift a bunch of fireflies at once, and since it’s an undisputed fact that they flash as they go upward - it stands to reason that it might be the wrong current that is triggering both behaviors - the upward flight, and the flash.
I can’t prove it, but it makes more sense than their theories.
Tennessee does because the first week of June is the only time they do this. Only the ones in Indonesia, and Tennessee are synchronious. You actually have to get on a waiting list to go the the park in Tennessee where this happend.
BTW Illinois had them and Indianpolis still has them
Morris code
Morse code
There are hundreds in my backyard every night.
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