Fireflies in Sydney?!??!

[Omaroo]

During our short expedition to our viewing site at The Oaks in southern Sydney last night we were all super-surprised to see two (yep - just two) fireflies hovering around us on the field. They glowed, on and off, a bright fluoro green colour at about the same hue as a green laser pointer. Truly spectacular little doohickies.

While they are common in lots of other places, (including New York where we used to catch them an put them in a jar for a while to make our own lantern) I've never in my 45 years seen them here in Australia.

Did they come into the country in someones' luggage? :)

I'm sure people are going to respond by saying they see them all the time, but I don't think so - not here in Sydney.

Bizzarre! :thumbsup:

[acropolite]

There are native fireflies in Australia (http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/december2003/)

[Omaroo]

I saw that googling too - the thing is though, I've never seen any in Sydney before - ever!

Weird!

[Karls48]

Never seen fireflies in Sydney but along Coxs River there are plenty of them in the summer. I used to go fishing there years back and I was quite surprised to see fireflies there. I don’t know if they are native to Australia, they look very similar to fireflies I used to catch in Europe when I was kid.

[Omaroo]

Karl - where along Coxs River?

[mcross]

You occasionally see them here on the Sunshine Coast. We saw some a year or two ago, but hadn't seen any for years before this. It's always a real treat to see them!
Mark :)

[Karls48]

Where the Little River joins Coxs River. There used to be huge brow trout and some good rainbows. You can get there on Six-foot track but that’s very long hike. We used to go with Land Rover thru pine plantation down to Little River Water board reserve and left car there and hike few km upstream Coxs River. I don’t know if this access is still open I haven’t been there for many years.

[Ric]

Good value Chris, I have never seen them but I reckon They would be very interesting to see.

Cheers

[Omaroo]

Cool! Thanks!

My wife and I did the Six Foot Track going the Katoomba to Jenolan way. I remember the heat, and us both carrying 45+ kg packs because of the changeable conditions. Tough walking up from the Coxs River towards Jenolan. A great 3 or 4 day hike though.:thumbsup:

[sheeny]

Yep. this time of year they are out and about around Colong Caves in the KBNP. We often see them on caving trips. The climate in the valley at Colong is not dissimilar to Sydney/ The Oaks so it's not surprising to me. The Oaks is not too far from the bush...

Al.

[RB]

Now I wish you had your camera for that one Chris !
I'd love to see these little creatures.

I've been told that there's a place up here on the Central Coast, The Forrest Of Tranquility that has a festival each year.
Would love to check it out.

[Sharnbrook]

They are not uncommon in Brisbane's Western Suburbs, but I have only seen a few this year, and one of those times we had one flying around in the bedroom one night.

[Rodstar]

Funny you should mention the Forest of Tranquility, RB. My family is attending a dusk firefly party there for a girl my daughter's age next Saturday night.

I have seen them on private property at Narara around this time of year as well. They tend to be in dank places near creeks in temperate rainforest areas.

[norm]

I'm all excited about these fireflies now. Always wanted to see them :). Has to be one of natures little mysteries. Hmmm wondering if its worth a trip to Jenolan Caves:confuse3:

[mrsnipey]

Went camping in Tenterfield a couple of years ago and saw hundreds of them. It was quite spectacular. Just like christmas lights.

[Omaroo]

Norm - it'd be great to get some fireflies there as I could imagine the conditions would be perfect - cool damp and dank - especially in the grotto at the end of the Glow Worm tunnel. Speaking of those, you'd get a double dose of green glowing critters! :D

[ving]

i see them all the time.... oh ok i dont. interesting tho that you saw them chris :)
you should have take some pictures :D

[Kal]

Went for a drive last Sunday to visit some family in Newcastle, and decided to drop in to see the Firefly Festival at the Forest of Tranquility on the way back, as it is only 4km off the freeway. Definately had a christmas feel to it - walking through the rainforest at dusk with all these blinking green lights around :)

[ving]

i am soooooooooooooo going to ourimbah! :D

[Rodstar]

Yep, I went to the very same Forest of Tranquility last Saturday night, and was amazed by the performance put on by the little critters. Quite amazing....endless flashes of what I would describe as a light lemony-green colour.

We managed to catch a few in a little insect catcher, so the kids were able to have a really good look. They have two sections at the back half of the abdomen that flash on and off like a light switch.

[GrahamL]

I thought they were pretty common .. they seem to like a bit of water nearby
like you mention Rod and from what I see are always around if you find them someplace.:)

[ballaratdragons]

Chris, I grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney (Seven Hills) and there are fireflies there. (Well, there was when I left in 1975). I also used to see them every year on holidays at Port Macquarie, Lake Macquarie, and Wangi.
I have seen them in their thousands at Jenolan Caves, and when I lived back up in NSW for 1 1/2 years only 5 years ago they were at Budgewoi and Toukley.

There is also a place about 10k from where I live here in western Victoria called 'The Devils Kitchen' and they are there too.

I took it for granted that they were everywhere :shrug:

[Omaroo]

Hey there Ken

After living in the USA for years, I was always super keen to see them back home, but have never managed to to date for some reason. Must be a pheromone thing :doh:

Maybe they've just always hidden..... :P

Being a bush walker I've been to Jenolan many times after completing the Six Foot Track - and I have to say that I've never seen any then either. I feel all under-privileged now....:sadeyes:

[night-vision]

Where I use to live in the Whitsunday's there were alot of firefly's, I've never seen them South of there though. I always thought it was tropical thing.

[ving]

ahh! the 6' track... done that mountain biking. not a bad trail that one :D

[ballaratdragons]

Chris, if it makes you feel any better, get some of that 'Glow-in-the-dark' paint and collect some mozzies. Them dip their bums in the paint and let em loose! :lol:

Instant fireflies :thumbsup:

well, glow-mozzies anyway :rofl:

This link says they only live from Sydney going north, yet I have seen them down here. http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/december2003/#d

[sailormoon]

i rather see a firefly rather than those disgustin moths we had a few months ago!!