Fireflies Flash Together. Scientists investigate whether firefly synchrony is an optical illusion or really happens. It does.

Crev.info ^ | 7-19-2021 | David F. Coppedge

[fishtank]

[Gene Eric]

Gotta be quantum related...

[the_Watchman]

What states get them. I remember them in Indianapolis when I was growing up.

[moovova]

That’s Morris code for ...

“You can save 15% or more with Geico.”

[moovova]

Saw lots of them in Charlotte when I was a kid. Not so much anymore.

[Tell It Right]

Maybe they’ll figure out why women go to the restroom at the same time.

[knarf]

SYNCHED

[TangoLimaSierra]

Morse Code.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Lots of these bugs hereabouts.

[algore]

I remember there used to be lots in the midwest, not recently though

[Bigg Red]

MARK

[knarf]

I haven't seen many fireflys in SW Pa where I live now, but remember them in west of Boston suburbs, Massachusetts as a kid.

We'd put 'em in jars and hang on to 'em for a day or so an' if they survived .... we let 'em go.

[ken in texas]

- ... but remember them in west of Boston suburbs, Massachusetts as a kid. -

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.

[Larry Lucido]

And when one goes out, they all go out.

[enumerated]

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.

[DaiHuy]

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

[DaiHuy]

https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233374

The above is where to find info on them

[fishtank]

Morris code

[fishtank]

Morse code

[E. Pluribus Unum]

There are hundreds in my backyard every night.